Math of the Future

Welches Middle School students test new technology

The last few days of the school year usually mean cleaning out desks and planning summer vacations. Welches Middle School math teacher Pam Alexander had just that idea last year . . . all she had left to do was pack her bags.

Eighth Grade Welches Middle School student Riley Eldredge works on a pizza cost analysis problem using a Casio ClassPadd 300.

When a parent encouraged her to look into a “Call for Proposals” from Casio to try out their new ClassPad 300 she was intrigued. With the deadline quickly approaching, she pulled together a proposal and crossed her fingers.

It worked. Welches was one of two schools in the nation chosen to test the ClassPad 300, a hand-held math computer loaded with a collection of applications that support self-study and allows students to input expressions and display expressions as they would appear on paper.

“They gave us a classroom set and the computer software with permission to copy,” said Alexander. “We’ve had access to a programmer to help program the lessons.”

The hardware and software are the schools to keep. As a part of the study Alexander performs regular testing on students, the data to be used as part of the study. She said when they first began using the ClassPad in November they worked on a linear equation unit, which included 24 concepts. During the pre-testing there were some concepts that zero percent of the students could perform. After learning the concepts using the ClassPad the students post-tested at 40-100 percent. “That was pretty exciting,” said Alexander.

Teaching 127 seventh and eighth grade students throughout five different class periods, Alexander said the new technology is being utilized by all students at all levels.

“This is one of the few technological things that I have found that helps kids learn mathematical concepts. It offers more than practice, it enhances learning,” she said.

Located in room 14, the math room (which doubles as the technology lab with 22 computers lining the walls) is filled with seven round tables, each surrounded by four chairs. While students from various classes use the computers, Alexander’s math class solves problems in an interactive atmosphere designed to allow students to learn side by side with one another.

Alexander poses a mathematical question: Which is the better value? An 11 inch pizza at $5.65 with two toppings at $.95 each, or a 14 inch pizza at $8.75 with two $1.80 toppings? She encourages students to come up with their own questions to help them solve the problem, and then gives them time to discuss among themselves. After a few moments she brings their attention to the overhead where she displays a ClassPad LCD screen, asks for feedback and encourages more discussion. She calls this an “open-ended lesson.” At the end of the class period each student saves their work on their assigned ClassPad to finish next time.

Once a month Alexander takes time out to attend a meeting at the Casio Research and Development office in Tigard as a part of the study. “The kids have been real excited to be a part of it, that what they were doing was being valued,” said Alexander.