Mathematics E-Mathematics E-Learning Learning

in the in the Secondary Secondary ClassroomClassroom

By Sheryl SomervilleBy Sheryl Somerville

Reason for NeedReason for Need∞ Many students have difficulty in Many students have difficulty in

mathematicsmathematics∞ E-learning can help student to see E-learning can help student to see

mathematics in a different waymathematics in a different way∞ Videos and pictures bring the math to life so Videos and pictures bring the math to life so

students can better understand itstudents can better understand it

Different E-Learning Different E-Learning Programs ResearchedPrograms Researched

∞ Hey Math!Hey Math!∞ Math AidMath Aid∞ ACE-ACE-

LearningLearning

Evaluation of E-learning Evaluation of E-learning Programs ResearchedPrograms Researched

∞ HeyMath! had the most information and example HeyMath! had the most information and example lessons on their website. I was able to try out the lessons on their website. I was able to try out the program through example lessons and see how they program through example lessons and see how they could benefit the students. They taught lessons in fun could benefit the students. They taught lessons in fun and interesting ways. and interesting ways.

∞ HeyMath! has great visuals which I think is the main HeyMath! has great visuals which I think is the main benefit to e-learning. benefit to e-learning.

∞ HeyMath! is compatible with the Smart Board which HeyMath! is compatible with the Smart Board which is now a very popular tool in mathematics classrooms.is now a very popular tool in mathematics classrooms.∞ It is listed on the Smart Board website as a helpful math tool It is listed on the Smart Board website as a helpful math tool

for the classroom. for the classroom.

∞ Math Aid’s website did not have as many visuals. Math Aid’s website did not have as many visuals. ∞ ACE-Learning looked like a good program but the ACE-Learning looked like a good program but the

sample videos where not that greatsample videos where not that great∞ The videos looked interesting but they did not have any The videos looked interesting but they did not have any

volume.volume.

How ‘Hey Math!’ WorksHow ‘Hey Math!’ Works∞ Teacher plays lesson on the Smart Board Teacher plays lesson on the Smart Board

during classduring class∞ Pause at anytime to explain a concept furtherPause at anytime to explain a concept further∞ Can write directly on the Smart BoardCan write directly on the Smart Board

∞ Students complete problemsStudents complete problems∞ Directly on the computerDirectly on the computer∞ In a workbook/worksheetIn a workbook/worksheet

∞ Students can go online at home to reinforce Students can go online at home to reinforce what they learnedwhat they learned∞ The computer program keeps track ofThe computer program keeps track oflessons watched by particular studentslessons watched by particular students∞ The teacher can see who is accessing The teacher can see who is accessing extra helpextra help∞ Real life examples are given to help Real life examples are given to help students relate math to real lifestudents relate math to real life

E-learning in Remedial E-learning in Remedial ClassesClasses

∞ Mastery Learning Mastery Learning ∞Students learn at their own pace and do Students learn at their own pace and do

not move on until they have mastered the not move on until they have mastered the materialmaterial

∞ Important in mathematics remedial Important in mathematics remedial classes because the concepts build upon classes because the concepts build upon one anotherone another

∞Teacher can spend the Teacher can spend the

class time assisting studentsclass time assisting students∞Computer keeps track of Computer keeps track of

grades and topics mastered.grades and topics mastered.

Costs for Hey Math!Costs for Hey Math!

∞ Use of Computer Classroom Use of Computer Classroom (assuming the school already has (assuming the school already has these available) = freethese available) = free

∞ Hey Math! Program = $500 per Hey Math! Program = $500 per classroom with up to 30 studentsclassroom with up to 30 students∞Teacher & students have access to Teacher & students have access to

lessons, problems, etc.lessons, problems, etc.

∞ $99.99 for an individual teacher $99.99 for an individual teacher account to use lessons in class onlyaccount to use lessons in class only

PositivesPositives∞ Teachers have more time to focus on Teachers have more time to focus on

∞ Individual StudentsIndividual Students∞ Planning fun activitiesPlanning fun activities∞ Planning group workPlanning group work

∞ Students can access programs from Students can access programs from home, the library or any other place home, the library or any other place with internet access with internet access ∞ Students in need of extra helpStudents in need of extra help∞ Students who are absent – will never Students who are absent – will never miss a lesson, easy to catch up!miss a lesson, easy to catch up!

∞ Increased visualization, bringing Increased visualization, bringing math to lifemath to life

Positives (cont.)Positives (cont.)∞ Students like computersStudents like computers

∞Keeps students busy so that we don’t have Keeps students busy so that we don’t have chaos!chaos!

Who may oppose Who may oppose it?it?

∞ Teachers may feel threatened at firstTeachers may feel threatened at first∞ Before starting the program it should be Before starting the program it should be

clearly explained to the staff that we are not clearly explained to the staff that we are not replacing math teachers, we still need math replacing math teachers, we still need math teachers to supplement the computer lessonsteachers to supplement the computer lessons

∞ Teachers are needed to give students paper Teachers are needed to give students paper examsexams

∞ It’s important for students to still take paper exams It’s important for students to still take paper exams so that they are properly prepared for the math so that they are properly prepared for the math regentsregents

∞ Senior Teachers that may not know how Senior Teachers that may not know how to to

use the computeruse the computer∞ Book company’sBook company’s

TimelineTimeline∞ Teachers should meet together beforehand Teachers should meet together beforehand

to decide on which program is best for their to decide on which program is best for their students – possibly April of the year beforestudents – possibly April of the year before

∞ The program can be started at the The program can be started at the beginning of any school yearbeginning of any school year

∞ The money saved from no longer needing The money saved from no longer needing textbooks can be used to purchase the textbooks can be used to purchase the programprogram

ConclusionConclusion

∞ E-learning can bring E-learning can bring math to life with math to life with visualizations that may visualizations that may help students to help students to

NO LONGER FEAR NO LONGER FEAR MATH! MATH!

References & ResourcesReferences & Resources

∞ http://www.ace-learning.com.sg/sys/index.http://www.ace-learning.com.sg/sys/index.htmlhtml

∞ http://www.heymath.comhttp://www.heymath.com∞ http://http://www.mathaid.comwww.mathaid.com∞ http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/16/opinihttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/16/opini

on/16friedman.htmlon/16friedman.html∞ S. Boggs, M. Shore & J. Shore (2004). S. Boggs, M. Shore & J. Shore (2004). Using Using

e-Learning Platforms for Mastery Learning in e-Learning Platforms for Mastery Learning in Developmental Mathematics Courses.Developmental Mathematics Courses. Mathematics and Computer Education.Mathematics and Computer Education.

∞ Video about HeyMath! used at Cristo Rey Video about HeyMath! used at Cristo Rey New York High School: New York High School: http://mac.heymath.net/main/howitworksschoolvid01.http://mac.heymath.net/main/howitworksschoolvid01.htmlhtml