Brief Description

This lesson allows teachers to evaluate where students are in math.  Students take a teacher given placement test. After the test is graded, they choose areas of strengths and weaknesses to evaluate.  Students will then select one area of weakness to improve and search the Internet for sites that will allow them to practice this skill. They will log the sites they look at.  They will then create a data sheet to keep track of their practice sessions.  In the end, they will retake the placement test and create a presentation for the class demonstrating their growth.

Standards and Frameworks

Technology Standards

• 6T-E1. Determine when technology is useful and select and use the appropriate tools

and technology resources to solve problems

• STANDARD 1: NUMBER SENSE

Students develop number sense and use numbers and number relationships to acquire basic facts, to solve a wide variety of real-world problems, and to determine the reasonableness of results.

(Note that depending on the skill the student chooses to work on, various standards will be met with this lesson.)

Academic

Students will take a math test and evaluate personal areas of weaknesses and strengths.  They will write an improvement plan, keep track of their efforts, and then take a post exam that will show the growth they made. Students will compare and contrast their pre and post test scores on the math test.  In the end, students will use a computer to present their findings to the class.

Technological

Students will find sites that will help them improve in at least one area of weakness; they will create a log of sites that help them, as well as keep track of data with the computer.  They will use a program of their choice to demonstrate the growth they made to the class. They should choose the programs that will help them do this. (The Microsoft Products are very useful for this activity.)

Pre-Requisite Technology Skills

• Students should know how to use various search engines on the computer to find specific sites using Boolean logic.
• Students should be able to use Excel, Power Point, Word and Publisher or similar programs.

• Internet ready computers for each student or group of students
• A math test that evaluates all of the skills taught (it is best to use an end of the year or placement test.)
• Microsoft or similar products are necessary.

• Attention Deficit Disorder students can benefit from the technology involved in this lesson.  They will require more in the way of instruction, as things will need to be broken down into steps for them.
• SEI students thrive when math is involved because it is a universal language – so these kids will be given the opportunity to shine!  Members of their group can help them with the language.
• Students could be grouped according to the math need that they have.  This could help them find information easier.
• For Gifted students an area of math expansion could be found.
• Special Education students can truly benefit from this lesson, as they will see that everyone has something to learn.  These students especially can learn ways to cope with their disabilities and thrive with technology.
• Modification:  If you have limited computer space in your classroom, you may want to group your students according to the skill they are weakest in so that they can do this assignment together.

(This activity should be done at the end of the school year after the skills have been taught.)

1. Give all of your students a math placement, end of the year test, or some sort of ability test in mathematics.  This will serve as a pretest.

2. Have students look at their graded test to find their areas of strength.  As a class, create a graph that shows how many students are strong in each math area. (For example, multiplication, subtraction, addition, division, fractions, decimals…)

3. Now do a graph together to show areas of weakness.  This will help students to become aware of what they know and what they don’t know.  This awareness should be motivating, not degrading.

4. Make the learning the students’ responsibility – set up the assignment as follows: (Use the student handout to guide the students)
 

a. Ask students to highlight an area of strength and weakness for themselves.
b. Tell them that they are going to use the computer to strengthen this skill.
c. Be sure that they are able to search using Boolean logic; and assign them a search in the engine of their choice.  The kids need to find math games that help enforce math skills.  They must keep a record of the sites that they search and write descriptors about them. (Log)
d. They will practice their skills using their favorite site and keep a record of their improvements (data table)
e. Students will retake the pretest and seek a higher score in the area(s) of weakness while maintaining the area of strength.
f. Students will write a reflection on this exercise and then present their findings to the class using a computer. (presentation)

In giving this assignment, you are looking for a few things – the main objective was being able to use a computer to solve a problem.  Students were asked to take a test and then use a computer to help them learn the skills they lacked in.  They then had to use the computer to present their results.  Use a rubric to score your students growth and presentations.

Teacher Name: Niki Tilicki
Site: Wilson K-8
Date Submitted: December 11, 2002