Let’s face it, learning math for many children can be akin to watching paint dry. The old paradigm of a math teacher standing at a blackboard doling out algebraic formulas and quadratic equations just hasn’t worked for many students.
That’s why it’s so encouraging the state Public Education Department is including a video-based, digitally animated math program on its official list of instructional materials to teach the state’s fifth- to eighth-graders core math standards. And the 21st century math program was developed right here in New Mexico.
MidSchoolMath, launched by a Taos company in 2009, aims to replace traditional, text-based math lessons with computer games and videos. The program strives to make math relevant, and even fun, drawing kids into colorful, fantasy adventures where they use math to solve problems.
MidSchoolMath LLC co-founder and CEO Scott Laidlaw told the Journal’s Kevin Robinson-Avila for a Jan. 24 story that his company has developed 139 different simulations that address the state’s 136 core math standards for middle schoolers, with different sets of questions and challenges posed to students based on grade levels.
Dozens of scenarios were filmed with actors in New Mexico, such as an avalanche rescue scenario in Taos, a treasure hunt at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and an Old West ranch outside Santa Fe complete with live mules and wagons. One game takes place in the 1600s on a sea vessel. Students learn algebra while sailing the open seas, trading spices and contending with pirates. Another game allows students to virtually ride a spaceship to Mars.
In a state where just 20% of our K-12 students can do grade level math, and in the age of social media video clips and selfies, interactive storytelling in virtual worlds is a promising development. The innovative program is already being used in about 50 schools in 17 states, reaching nearly 40,000 middle school students. Central Consolidated Schools in the Four Corners Area and Turquoise Trail Charter School in Santa Fe use it.
But it’s not just about making math popular or fun – it’s about ensuring students grasp the concepts needed to advance in academics and ultimately the workplace.
To that end, Laidlaw says a three-year National Science Foundation-funded assessment of MidSchoolMath’s effectiveness showed impressive results in student learning and retention – in randomized control trials involving more than 1,100 students, the curriculum earned the top scores in student achievement gains and engagement.
Turquoise Trail math teacher Kristin Bruner says MidSchoolMath makes math much less intimidating. Other teachers have reported significant improvement in student math performance, adding students remember a lot more because they’re no longer memorizing formulas. Instead, they remember a story line with associated math.
MidSchoolMath’s inclusion on PED’s instructional materials list could mean many more school districts will adopt the program. School districts across the state should check it out and assess its effectiveness. Not only could it make math a whole lot more fun and meaningful for N.M. middle schoolers – it could help them learn the math skills they need for the next grade, and stage, in life.
This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
"Fun" - Google News
January 28, 2020 at 02:05PM
https://ift.tt/2RXmJh3
Editorial: Taos firm makes math fun, may add up to better results - Albuquerque Journal
"Fun" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2ZVoWNN
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Editorial: Taos firm makes math fun, may add up to better results - Albuquerque Journal"
Post a Comment