Math&Science Problem Solving Intervention for Rural Communities

This Phase II project will work toward increasing the math and science problem solving capacities of high need rural students and their teachers. Math and science and the ability to solve problems in these disciplines lie at the heart of technical innovation and economic security in today & #39;s global marketplace. Research has demonstrated that early math skills are the strongest predictor of future academic performance across many domains, including reading. Similarly, the acquisition of higher skill levels in math and science can have significant effects on labor market success. Sustainable development at the local level requires a technically proficient workforce capable of complex problem solving and high achieving schools, especially to attract the agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative or renewable energy innovation contracts that are drivers in economic development for rural communities. Yet despite nearly a decade of research, access to the high quality math and science curricula that will prepare students for this level of competition is severely limited by a complex set of circumstances including outmigration, geographic isolation and the national shortage of trained math educators and math specialists. Learnimation & #39;s distance learning solution will help rural school districts provide access to a high quality math and science problem solving program that is research-based, aligned with the new Common Core Math Standards and integrates internationally-acclaimed problem solving instruction techniques. The research timeline will design, build and validate a web-based Student Problem Solving System that trains students in the full breadth of problem scenarios recommended by the National Math Panel and the Common Core Math Standards. Learnimation will translate current research-based techniques into an engaging learning experience that will be individualized for each student based on his/her unique needs. The team will work with rural teachers and school administrators to tailor the program for their needs, including refining reporting interfaces that enable data-based decision-making. Using these methods, this project will build, refine and deliver a distance learning system that has the potential to increase capacity for problem solving in both students and their teachers. Additionally, the methodology may result in increased understanding in the software development process, in the translation of research to practice and in the structure of research studies that examine the efficacy of intervention tools.