Playful Math WorldA Solution to MMAPPlayful Math WorldA Solution to MMAP

ED 333A

Wuping LuEdmund Shen Huiping Liao

Learning Problems in MMAP

Math teaching opportunities missedNot covering all math topicsWeren’t seeing the connections between the

activities and formal mathematicsReal world “Applications” not interesting

enoughLacking in-depth mathematical conversations

Learning Learning Problems in General Math Problems in General Math TeachingTeaching

• Math is seen as difficult, boring, and irrelevant

• Students are passive recipients of mathematical knowledge and symbols and not motivated in learning

• Students cannot apply math principles to the real world problems

Design ObjectivesDesign Objectives

• Ensure that teachers cover all math topics Ensure that teachers cover all math topics and contentand content

• Motivate students and improve sense-Motivate students and improve sense-making in learningmaking in learning

• Improve problem-solving skills which are Improve problem-solving skills which are tailored to solve comprehensive real world tailored to solve comprehensive real world problemsproblems

Develop in-depth mathematical Develop in-depth mathematical communication and argument abilitycommunication and argument ability

Design RationaleDesign Rationale

• CognitiveCognitive– (c1)1Iinteractive environments for (c1)1Iinteractive environments for

construction of understandingconstruction of understanding– (c4) Assessments of extended performance(c4) Assessments of extended performance

• SituativeSituative– (s1) Environments of participation in social (s1) Environments of participation in social

practices of inquiry and learningpractices of inquiry and learning– (s4) Practices of formulating and solving (s4) Practices of formulating and solving

realistic problemsrealistic problems

Chick Egg Incubation Project Chick Egg Incubation Project

Chick Incubator Chick Incubator Chick Incubator Chick Incubator

Design SolutionDesign Solution - - Redesign of the Redesign of the CurriculumCurriculum

• Class organizationClass organization– Still application-based Still application-based – Sequence and organization of teaching Sequence and organization of teaching

reorganizedreorganized– Mathematical concepts will be taught before Mathematical concepts will be taught before

any applicationany application– All math topics are covered in a teachable and All math topics are covered in a teachable and

learnable mannerlearnable manner– Then the application of concepts in the simple Then the application of concepts in the simple

real word problemsreal word problems– Finally proceed to solving the comprehensive Finally proceed to solving the comprehensive

real world problems real world problems

Design SolutionDesign Solution - - Redesign of the Redesign of the CurriculumCurriculum

• Instructional MethodsInstructional Methods– Using worked examples and Using worked examples and

demonstrating expert thinking processdemonstrating expert thinking process– Practice exercises mirroring the real Practice exercises mirroring the real

world situationworld situation– Group work to solve the comprehensive Group work to solve the comprehensive

real world problemsreal world problems– Student work presentation and think Student work presentation and think

aloudaloud

Design Solution - Redesign of the Curriculum

The Structure of Each Class Student work presentation and think aloud Teach basic math concepts principles Demonstrate the application using worked

examples Practice exercises mirroring the real world

situation Group work to solve the comprehensive

real world problems

Design SolutionDesign Solution - - Redesign of the Redesign of the CurriculumCurriculumLearning MaterialsLearning Materials• ““Math in Design Units” with Real World Math in Design Units” with Real World

applications for the math practice and applications for the math practice and group work. group work.

• Expending learning capability with mantel Expending learning capability with mantel development processdevelopment process

• Providing easy-to–understand real world Providing easy-to–understand real world problem with explanations problem with explanations

• Fun and playful. It is more related to the Fun and playful. It is more related to the youngsters’ world and life to increase their youngsters’ world and life to increase their interesting, motivation, and imaginationinteresting, motivation, and imagination

Design Solution – Redesign of Software

Interactive software tool with two screens: Teacher’s Screen.

– The NCTM data installed– Review function– Performance Analysis function.– New project generation function

Student’s Screen—Playful Math Wizard.– mental model for math – Intelligence math “hint” suggestion– Explanation and description for the real world situation

background.– Tests composition capability with automatic score

function. – Group or individual “Math Game” function. Get Points.

Electricity Heating Design for IncubatorTotal Score 100 points. S: My incubator with 1.2 feet wide, 1.8 feet long and 1 foot tall. W: Then how much is the cubic feet? S: I forgot the formula. W: Hint…. Remember a rectangular formula? Cubic has 3

dimensions. W: Right! You got 1 point! Then, how many 100W lamps you

need? S: Mhhhhhh…. W: Hint: Algebra. S: X=2.16/0.8! W: Great! You got 5 points! Then, how many 100W lamps you

need? S: 2.7….. I will use two 100W lamp and one 70W lamp! W: Smart boy! You got 10 points!The game can provide the simulation results. For example: S: I put two 1,000W lamps in this incubator! W: Congratulations! Your eggs are fully cooked after 10 minutes.

Enjoy your meal! Hint: Your designed an inferred oven!

AssessmentAssessment

• Math background test

• Class observations

• Students and Teachers Survey

• Achievement Test

Conclusion

Our design will fix the learning problems Playful Math World project can make math to be fun, interesting and motivating for all students. We expect the result of the student performance will exceed the math standards.

Thank youThank you

QuestionsQuestions ??