Education Reform through Instructional Efficiency

Cognitive Support Proposal: Multiplication Tool

Synopsis

• Background and Need

• Project Description

• Project Goals in Detail

• Early Visual Interface

• Getting Involved

July 23, 2009

Background

• Nationally, children achieve basic number operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, at low levels.

• Basic number operations underlie more complex learning in areas like geometry and algebra.

• The bottom line: fundamental number operations are important to strengthen.

July 23, 2009

Project Description

• PLML is developing a free multiplication learning tool to help improve students’ learning of math, specifically, multiplication.

• The tool is focused on helping students learn to multiply numbers greater than 12, which typically rely on different cognitive mechanisms than the automatic responses for numbers under 12

July 23, 2009

Project Goals in Detail

• Teach multiple representations that can be used to develop successful answers to multiplication problems.

• Support learners in building a robust understanding of how to apply their favored representation in answering a problem.

• Support educators by decreasing the time it takes to teach multiplication.

July 23, 2009

Multiple Representations

• The interface will provide a comparison between Traditional, Lattice and Base 10 solving methods.

• The interface will help a learner identify the method that works best for them

July 23, 2009

Robust Understanding

• Each solving method will be supplemented with textual, graphic and video materials that can be used to train and guide.

• Each solving method will provide debugging support, e.g., the engine will recognize common problems with students’ solutions.

• Each solving method can automatically adjust difficulty as the student increases in ability.

July 23, 2009

Increase Efficiency

• The tool will provide students with opportunities to easily practice multiplication.

• The tool will provide teachers with the ability to view results, and changing results over time.

• The tool will provide teachers with online worksheets and assignments that can be provided to a class or group of learners.

July 23, 2009

Prototype Visual

July 23, 2009

Prototype Schematic

July 23, 2009

Functional Overview

• Anonymous site users and students can use the multiplication engine. Students, with accounts, have their information saved for long-term analysis.

• Teachers, an account type, can create classes. Students can affiliate themselves with a class, or teachers can assign students to a class.

• Teachers can create assignments, and give assignments to students. Once complete, assignments can be viewed by teachers (and results feed class statistics). Assignments can be printed for easy paper distribution.

July 23, 2009

Multiplication Tool Interface

• Solvers can select their favored interface for solving a problem. The problem appears on each representation tab.

• Depending on the level of desired support, contextual hints and suggestions appear to the solver.

• Users can proceed whether or not the answer is correct and final.

July 23, 2009

Assignments Overview

• Teachers can create and assign assignments to their class.

• Assignments can have a particular number of problems, a difficulty level (based on the complexity of the problems), a time-to-complete limitation, and a due date. Reference materials can be noted in the assignment.

July 23, 2009

How to get involved

• Our free tools are developed in collaboration with educators, who act as guides.

• We are seeking 12 to 24 math educators who would be willing to commit several hours, over the span of 3-4 months, to help develop this tool.

• Involvement includes free-form feedback discussions, alpha and beta evaluation, and potentially, informal testing with student learns in a live environment.

• Contact us if you’re interested to help out!

July 23, 2009