Re: [Fwd: Re: [seul-edu] Looking for math curriculum]

[Gunnar Stefansson <gunnar@hafro.is>]

Hello, all

This whole topic is of major interest, be it the general use of
computers in classrooms or how to solve issues as the ones in
Louisiana.

> > >     My question: does anybody have contacts or information about
> > > computer-based remedial math programs for at-risk high school students?
> > > We really need a comprehensive curriculum that starts from the basics
> > > such as number sense, counting and so on. Ideally, it should progress
> > > all the way through Algebra 1 and geometry. If it matters, the network
> > > runs Linux but can also access anything on the Internet. I don't have
> > > good enough hardware to run Windows emulation at any decent speed.

It seems to me that there really is precious little that will happen
if one just buys a bunch of computers - even if lots of fancy software 
is included (yes, even if it´s our favourite Linux).  We do need to
get our students to use the darned things and to learn from using
them.

What I´m betting on up here in the north Atlantic is to use a
carrot-and-stick argument (though mainly the stick)...

Current stick: Currently the students do have to hand in homework.  In
practice this is often poorly worked-up (i.e. dead-wrong and totally
silly answers) or copied but there is a requirement to hand it in -
otherwise they do not qualify to take the exams.

Suggested alternative stick: The students do not get to take the final
exam unless they have handed in on-line homework.  They have to answer
x% of the on-line questions (correctly) in order to qualify to take
the exam. I see x as 75, which is our mandatory return rate for
(copied and erroneous) homework.  This time x refers to correct
answers to many short quiz questions.

Current carrot: They get to take the exam.

New carrot 0: The same.

New carrot 1: The on-line homework is very fast to answer (many small
quiz questions) and replaces long and tedious math assignments [yes,
that's just an ad - there are very *many* multiple-choice questions].

New carrot 2: If you qualify for taking the exam then you are almost
certain to pass it (yup, this does mean putting a LOT of work into
the quiz questions).

Any experience from or thought on this sort of scheme?

G