Does Math Matter?

1. Does Math Matter? Yes, it does!

2. Today’s Agenda • Introduction • Why Gaming? • How you can integrate gaming into your classes • Demonstration of game and game elements • Why do I need to know math? • It’s been a long time since I took Algebra! • How can I possibly use games with math in my classroom? • Planning

3. Grant Initiative • Awarded in January, 2007 • Partnership between ECSD and UWF • Support/Evaluation • Career and Technical Educators • Information Technology Experts • Instructional Technologists/Designers • Faculty: Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Instructional Technology • Students: Computer Science, Instructional Technology, Middle School Testers

4. What’s it all about? • Aligning Standards to Content • Promoting Career Education • Supporting Math Performance • Motivating Students to Pursue Advanced Math Studies • Implementing Innovative Instructional Strategies • Using Technology to Engage Students

5. Aligning Standards to Content • Math 7-8 Grade Algebra Standards • Career Standards

6. Promoting Career Education • Knowledge is Power • Opportunities • Job Requirements • Academic Requirements • Workforce Development Partnerships

7. Supporting Math Performance • Aligned to FCAT Math Standards • Practice • Practice • Practice • Relevance • Fun

8. Motivating Students to Pursue Math • Relevance of Math to careers • How is math used in careers? • Answer the question: “Why do I need to know Algebra?”

9. Implementing Innovative Instructional Strategies • Using instructional materials aligned to standards • Building exciting learning environments • Developing learning communities • Presenting content in different ways • Meeting students where they are

10. Using Technology to Engage Students • Develop • skills used in the workplace (problem-solving, troubleshooting) • collaborative skills • research, planning, and organizational skills • presentation and speaking skills • Synthesize and analyze complex content • Express ideas in creative ways

11. You’ll be asked … WHY GAMING? • Students learn best when they are entertained and can use their own creative skills (Carlson, 2003) • Motivation, communication, problem solving, teamwork, creativity (Jenkins, 2003; Morton, 1998; Tews, 2001) • Fun helps to make learning enjoyable, compelling, and effective (Prensky, 2001) • Competition is creative and enjoyable (Akilli, 2006) • Intrinsic motivation – self-regulation (Reiber, 1996) • Increases motivation and eagerness for learning (Malone, 1987) • Fantasy increases enthusiasm (Malone, 1987) • Interactive feedback (Gredler, 1994; Prensky, 2001; Reiber, 1996) • Engross learner, focus and reward (Prensky, 2001) • Models use of gaming in the “real world” (Gee, 2005; Prensky, 2001) • Complex problem solving skill practice, involving manipulation of patterns and objectives (Pivec, Dziabenko & Shinnerl, 2003; Jenkins, 2003)

12. Why now? Why in CTE? • In 2007, high school freshmen must declare major • 7-8 grade students participate in CTE classes to introduce them to the 16 career clusters and individual careers • Showcase importance of math in careers – promoting advanced math studied • Continue efforts to improve math performance

13. What about assessment? • Games are introductory/exploratory, but … student strengths and weaknesses in math and career content knowledge can be determined through program reports available for each student

14. Game Elements • Direct Instruction • Career Introduction • Player Biographies • Job Aids • Summaries • 3 Levels • Expert Interaction • Video Vignettes • Non-Playing Characters • Enrichment • Career Information Portal • Supplemental Instructional Strategies (WebQuests, Games, Websites with Career Information and Teacher Lesson Plans) • Trading Cards

15. Career Clusters Covered • Architecture and Construction • Finance, Business Management, and Administration • Health Science • Information Technology • Law, Public Safety and Security • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

16. Introducing … the games … • Providers • Sustainers • Outbreak Unknown • Towers of Zahlen

17. Providers Members of an elite group called the Providers collect fuel cells found at mathematically coded locations in the galaxy for the reactor which is low on fuel cells. Each level introduces different coordinate locations, equations, and navigation obstacles.

18. Sustainers As franchise owner of Stellar Telecom Company, you must restore and expand the telecommunication framework within the colonies on a space station. Once the tasks are completed you will then earn a salary to reinvest in your business.

19. Outbreak Unknown As part of a team of scientists, you find an antidote for a virus attacking plants and causing giant mutations.

20. Towers of Zahlen An adventure game set in a world of mathematical towers where you engage the help of subject matter specialists, solve problems to unlock doors, and avoid traps to restore harmony.

21. Implementation • Field Testing – Fall, 2007 • Materials • Curriculum Guide • Brochures • Trading Cards • With students • Teacher Evaluation • Implementation Strategies • Online Learning Community • Grand Unveiling – Spring, 2008

22. What’s Next • Equipment is in (computers for each school) • Final games will be delivered in August and September • Website/listserv • Continued evaluation • Your thoughts/ideas/suggestions • Best practices for using games in CTE classrooms • Your student’s responses

23. Your task – by the end of the day … • Consider how you’re going to integrate the games • What information do you need to help you? Share that with us … watch for suggestions on the website and through email

24. Math Matters Website: Communication Central http://uwf.edu/mathmatters

25. And now … the demonstration begins • Sit back and see an example of the game in action!