Reasoning Mind, Inc.

Using Technology to Close the Using Technology to Close the Achievement GapAchievement Gap

www.reasoningmind.org

Presenter: Reid Whitaker, Principal, Port Houston Elementary

NAESP 2010 Convention

April 9th, 2010

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Opening QuestionOpening Question

How do the realities of 21st century technology affect a

teaching model that was designed for the 19th century?

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Technology in the Classroom Today:Technology in the Classroom Today:

•5th graders report using computers just 24 minutes a week in school

•8th graders report using computers just 38 minutes a week in school

“Teachers use computers to supplement and reinforce the existing teaching model. As such,

computers add cost, while failing to revolutionize the classroom experience”

– US Dept. of Education Report on Technology

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Theory of Change:Theory of Change:

Incorporating Technology into the Classroom in the 21st Century:

Previously:•Computer programs available are merely on-screen textbooks.

•Programs do not adapt to student inputs; all students see the same thing, regardless of answers given.

•Non-customizable – all students take the same path through the program.

Today:•Animated, interactive programs that engage student interest.

•Programs adapt to student inputs – what each child sees varies, depending on the inputs given.

•Highly customizable – each students takes an individual path through the program, at their own pace.

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New Role of Teacher:New Role of Teacher:

Traditional Classroom: With Technology:1. Teachers give the same

lecture to the whole class.

2. Teachers use planning time to create one-size-fits-all lessons

3. The majority of a teacher’s time is spent creating assignments and assessments, and then grading those assignments and assessments.

1. Teachers use class time to work one-on-one with students.

2. Teachers use planning time to create customized intervention plans.

3. Teachers can devote their time to a detailed analysis of each student’s performance through automated reports.

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New Student Experience:New Student Experience:

•Students become active participants in their own learning.

•Students receive instant feedback to their answers.

•The program diagnoses and remedies gaps in prior knowledge.•Students enjoy a flexible and varied path of study.

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Proven Benefits to Students:Proven Benefits to Students:

Increased Time on Task:

Studies have shown that time on task in a classroom where students are engaged in computer-based learning is much higher than in a traditional classroom

Source: Worthen, Van Dusen, & Sailor, 1994

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Proven Benefits to Students:Proven Benefits to Students:

Improved Student Attitudes Towards Learning:

After using Reasoning Mind, an online mathematics

curriculum, over 70% of the students indicated they

either liked math a whole lot more or more than they did

previously before the program.

Source: Waxman & Houston, 2008

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Proven Benefits to Students:Proven Benefits to Students:

Increased Face-to-Face Interaction:80% of a typical teacher’s time is spent preparing to teach, teaching, and testing.

Freed from routine tasks, teachers can create individualized intervention plans, increasing the timeliness and frequency of direct instruction for the students who need it most.

Source: Christensen, 2008

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Proven Benefits to Students:Proven Benefits to Students:

High Quality Curriculum in Every Classroom:

Administrators using a web-based curriculum can be assured that a program of study will be delivered in a consistent manner across all classrooms, with appropriate content and pedagogies. Source: Christensen, 2008

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Proven Benefits to Students:Proven Benefits to Students:

A Classroom that Meets Every Student’s Needs:

Technology that adjusts the path of learning for each

student and provides multiple learning modes to practice

skills has been shown to dramatically boost student

achievement. Sources: Schacter, 2001; Sivin-Kachala, 1998;

Wenglinsky, 1998

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Case Study Case Study

VIDEO:

Reasoning Mind: A tool for closing the US mathematics achievement gap

Teachers and administrators talk about the dramatic impact of adopting Reasoning Mind in their schools.

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Students Are EngagedStudents Are Engaged

Are taught at Are taught at theirtheir pace and level of ability pace and level of ability

Have their weaknesses diagnosed and Have their weaknesses diagnosed and remedied remedied automaticallyautomatically

CollaborateCollaborate and and competecompete with each other with each other Enjoy Enjoy prizesprizes, , math gamesmath games, and the Genie, and the Genie

As a result, students become As a result, students become engagedengaged in learning math and in learning math and develop confidencedevelop confidence in their abilities. in their abilities.

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Students Get Excited About Math:Students Get Excited About Math:

Students Say…Students Say…

Liked learning math in RM 92%

Like math more than before after using RM 76%

Would consider a job that uses math after RM 81%

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Teachers Love RMTeachers Love RM

Percentage of teachers who were Percentage of teachers who were satisfied or extremely satisfied with satisfied or extremely satisfied with their overall RM experiencetheir overall RM experience

96%96%

Percentage of teachers who were Percentage of teachers who were satisfied or extremely satisfied with satisfied or extremely satisfied with the professional development RM providesthe professional development RM provides

Percentage of teachers who were Percentage of teachers who were satisfied or extremely satisfied with satisfied or extremely satisfied with the support RM providedthe support RM provided

95%95%

100%100%

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Panel Discussion30 mins

Reid Whitaker, Principal – Port Houston Elementary

Karen Jackson, Principal – Cornelius Elementary

Lisa Davis, Principal – Angleton High School

Mable Holt, Principal – Wilson Academy

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Question and Answer20 mins