Well, we hope so. We have organized both the Calculus and Algebra surveys into a database. In the next week once all the surveys are collected, we will publish our findings. We are still working out different methods for distribution of the service. More updates soon.
-Connor
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Survey
Today the surveys were collected. The feedback will be a great asset in determining the need for the service. I believe that many students will be impressed with Sal Khan's explanation of math topics, and the availability of helpful resources on the web.
-Connor
-Connor
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
A Message From the Project Sponsor
Supplemental Learning Proof-of-Concept Project at GCA
I’ve been working on a project with four students from a local high-school in my home district of
Gilbert, Arizona. The students, three seniors and a junior, attend Gilbert Classical Academy (aka the GCA
Spartans), as does my own son who is a freshman. GCA is a high-achieving college preparatory academy
with a small campus, small student body, uniforms, mandatory classes in the arts and languages and a
one to one computing model, where every student gets a laptop at the beginning of the year to use both
at school and at home. Incidentally, GCA was the highest performing school in the state of Arizona on
the state-standard AIMS test, and at or near the top on SAT performance.
The project we’re currently executing is a proof-of-concept and feasibility exercise to evaluate the
effectiveness of providing students easy and targeted access to supplemental learning materials. By
supplemental learning materials, we’re talking primarily audio, video and mixed media, things like Khan
Academy videos and MIT’s open courseware. For this POC phase we’re focusing exclusively on math and
videos from the Khan Academy and a couple of other similar (free + high quality) sources. We’re testing
with five classes in three subjects: Calculus, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. Three classes will be provided
with multi-channel access to the right video on the right day for students to view outside of class and/
or campus (our “study” classes). Two classes will be “controls.” All five classes will get a survey at the
start of the experiment (see below – going out to all students this week) and at the end. The survey
responses, combined with project team objective and subjective input will help to establish whether a
larger and more formal study is warranted.
Below are the objectives and a high-level scope plan that I pulled from our Project Charter. Also check
out the blog site of our project team, and check back often as we’ll try to post updates from time to
time.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
This project will investigate and prototype a system (processes and tools) to expand the usage
of supplemental learning objects in a math curriculum, with a focus on computer automation to
make it easier for students to access these supplemental materials. Working with a team of GCA
students, establish the feasibility and, if determined to be feasible, create a conceptual process
and technology design for development in a future phase.
PRELIMINARY SCOPE DEFINITION:
1. Develop project plan
2. Confirm data collection requirements for three GCA math classes (Calculus, Pre-Calculus
and Algebra 2)
3. Develop baseline measurement survey design and distribution methodology
4. Collect local course content/syllabi and relevant state standards for the three classes
(first semester only)
5. Develop Excel database for storing class data
6. Cross-reference and link videos from the Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) to each
lesson and/or standard for the three classes (~60 videos for each class per semester)
I’ve been working on a project with four students from a local high-school in my home district of
Gilbert, Arizona. The students, three seniors and a junior, attend Gilbert Classical Academy (aka the GCA
Spartans), as does my own son who is a freshman. GCA is a high-achieving college preparatory academy
with a small campus, small student body, uniforms, mandatory classes in the arts and languages and a
one to one computing model, where every student gets a laptop at the beginning of the year to use both
at school and at home. Incidentally, GCA was the highest performing school in the state of Arizona on
the state-standard AIMS test, and at or near the top on SAT performance.
The project we’re currently executing is a proof-of-concept and feasibility exercise to evaluate the
effectiveness of providing students easy and targeted access to supplemental learning materials. By
supplemental learning materials, we’re talking primarily audio, video and mixed media, things like Khan
Academy videos and MIT’s open courseware. For this POC phase we’re focusing exclusively on math and
videos from the Khan Academy and a couple of other similar (free + high quality) sources. We’re testing
with five classes in three subjects: Calculus, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. Three classes will be provided
with multi-channel access to the right video on the right day for students to view outside of class and/
or campus (our “study” classes). Two classes will be “controls.” All five classes will get a survey at the
start of the experiment (see below – going out to all students this week) and at the end. The survey
responses, combined with project team objective and subjective input will help to establish whether a
larger and more formal study is warranted.
Below are the objectives and a high-level scope plan that I pulled from our Project Charter. Also check
out the blog site of our project team, and check back often as we’ll try to post updates from time to
time.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
This project will investigate and prototype a system (processes and tools) to expand the usage
of supplemental learning objects in a math curriculum, with a focus on computer automation to
make it easier for students to access these supplemental materials. Working with a team of GCA
students, establish the feasibility and, if determined to be feasible, create a conceptual process
and technology design for development in a future phase.
PRELIMINARY SCOPE DEFINITION:
1. Develop project plan
2. Confirm data collection requirements for three GCA math classes (Calculus, Pre-Calculus
and Algebra 2)
3. Develop baseline measurement survey design and distribution methodology
4. Collect local course content/syllabi and relevant state standards for the three classes
(first semester only)
5. Develop Excel database for storing class data
6. Cross-reference and link videos from the Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) to each
lesson and/or standard for the three classes (~60 videos for each class per semester)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Project Scope Narrowed
Using Gilbert Classical Academy as a pilot school for the project, we have narrowed down our scope to three math classes. Calculus, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 will be evaluated in the upcoming week as we release our service. Students will discover Khan Academy and other helpful resources all in an efficient convenient message. In the upcoming week, we will also be sending out a survey to gather data regarding students' use of supplemental online materials. Subscribe to stay updated on the project!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Purple Math
Purple Math is an incredible resource for algebra students provided by Elizabeth Stapel Copyright © 2003-2011. The webpage provides lessons from pre-algebra through algebra 2 touching on trigonometric identities. Purple Math would be an excellent addition to the supplemental tools provided we can obtain permission, etc.
Purple Math Website!
Purple Math Website!
Monday, September 12, 2011
the interns...
Sean Cascketta, Zach Burnham, Connor Osborn, and lastly Drew Balthazor (project manager) have been assigned to the respective courses of math to scourge the internet for helpful material: Calculus, Algebra 2, Algebra, and PreCalculus. Updates will be posted weekly on our progress.
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