1.1 Overview
Contents
1. NARRATION All Destination MATH products are designed around specific learning objectives These discrete learning objectives are placed at the center of the construction of a unit identifying the necessary skills and or concepts that a student may need to address with regard to a particular topic The objectives are organized in manageable chunks and embedded in the Riverdeep learning environment It is simple to select the learning objectives that you would like to cover and you should be able to easily correlate the objectives of a given unit to your school s curricular objectives and to the textbooks and other materials you use Once correlations with your own curriculum have been made you can make assignments with confidence knowing that what the students need to learn is available on the computer 1 1 0 2 Product features The presentation of content is enhanced through a variety of multimedia techniques e Narration Interaction PACE and Show Me e Animation A feature of many of the Destination MATH courses is the continuous presence of narrators who serve as Dijit s guides and also act as teachers and allies for a student The first narrator introduces the context of a unit reinforces text that appears on the screen asks questions gives feedback and provides explanations Unlike most multimedia products this narrator does not simply read aloud the text on the screen Rather the narrator acts as an interpreter fo2. Selects the next unit Using the System Page 1 17 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 5 Logging off To log off Destination MATH click the Quit button on the main menu screen Page 1 18 Destination MATH
3. led presentations also encourage students to talk about mathematics and discover that although there may be only one answer to a problem there may be more than one way to find it 1 Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics 1989 Reston VA National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Page 1 6 Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 2 Logging on Before users can access log on to Destination MATH they must have a username a password and an appropriate designated class Each user is issued a unique username and a unique password by the system administrator A username and password are confidential and unique to each designated user and should not be disclosed to anyone else Any activity carried out on the system using an individual s username and password is the responsibility of the assigned user of the designated username and password Changing a username or password must be initiated through the administration system Using the System Page 1 7 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 2 1 Users Destination MATH allows students to log on as e Individual user e Guest user 1 2 1 1 Individual user To log on to Destination MATH as an individual user 1 Double click the Destination MATH icon located on the Desktop The program opens the logon dialog box as illustra
4. the following message appears ERROR This student name is invalid Click the OK button or press the lt Return gt or lt Enter gt key to retry OR e invalid password being used the following message appears ERROR Your password is incorrect please re enter it Click the OK button or press the lt Return gt or lt Enter gt key to retry OR e invalid class being used the following message appears ERROR Your class is incorrect please re enter it Click the OK button or press the lt Return gt or lt Enter gt key to retry Please check with the administrator to ascertain if a specified number of log on attempts may be made before users are logged out or ifa maximum or minimum number of characters is set for logon purposes Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 3 Main menu screen After successfully logging in the main menu screen as illustrated in Figure 3 is displayed Course selection butions Session Title bar Module taba Tutorial bultar Woreui Burton Quit button Resume butten Option buttons Figure 3 Main menu screen Note The tutorial workout button is not displayed on the opening screen until a unit and session are selected 1 3 0 1 Screen display Title bar The title bar on the main menu screen shows the chosen course Module tabs These show the modules associated with the chosen course Clicking a mod
5. Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 1 Overview The Destination MATH courses have been designed to meet the needs of students at various grade levels Mastering Skills and Concepts Course III is aimed at elementary grade students Mastering Skills and Concepts Courses IV and V are geared primarily towards students in middle and junior high school grades but can be useful for older students who are not yet ready for a formal study of algebra and geometry Mastering Algebra courses are appropriate for students enrolled in a formal algebra course The content of Mastering Skills and Concepts Course lll includes number and number sense operations with numbers fractions decimals geometry and data analysis and probability The content of Mastering Skills and Concepts Course IV includes arithmetic topics traditionally taught at the middle school level fractions decimals signed numbers and percents The content of Mastering Skills and Concepts Course V expands the curriculum of the previous course and includes the study of ratio and proportion elementary algebra basic geometry and introductions to both statistics and probability The inclusion of the latter two topics reflects recommendations in the Standards document published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics NCTM A basic knowledge of these two topics is deemed to be important for all students not just those who i
6. acronym for Problem restates the problem Analysis collects the data and analyzes the relationships between the elements in the problem Computation provides a step by step guide to calculating or computing the answer and Evaluation evaluates the answer by providing an alternative method and or checking the answer within the context of the given problem Each click during a Show Me generates information related to each of the four steps above Animation and colorful graphics are features that appear throughout every unit They add information and humor depending on the context The animation can show how to solve a problem or display a character s reaction to an on screen event Page 1 5 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd PRESENTATION MODE INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION GROUP WORK 1 1 0 3 Implementation There are several ways that teachers and students can use this product Each depends on the availability of computers in the classroom and school They are e Presentation mode Individual instruction e Group work Perhaps the most natural way to integrate the units into instruction is to use segments of the courses during a teacher led presentation This method is particularly useful if only one computer and a large screen monitor or projection device is available Use the space bar to pause the program at discrete moments in the presentation pose questions and enga
7. elected unit is highlighted in yellow on the session selection screen Page 1 14 Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 4 0 5 Selecting a tutorial workout 1 On the session selection screen click a session of your choice This will launch the Tutorial Workout screen as illustrated in Figure 6 Figure 6 Tutorial Workout screen Note For details on working through tutorials and workouts see Working through a session Section 3 2 Using the System Page 1 15 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 4 1 Screen navigation The following may be used to navigate these screens e the mouse e the lt Arrow gt keys e the lt Tab gt key Page 1 16 Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 4 2 MAC Keyboard functions To navigate through these screens the following may be used Key Description lt Ctrl Tab gt Selects the next course lt Ctrl Shift Tab gt Selects the previous course lt Tab gt Selects the next module lt Shift Tab gt Selects the previous module lt Ctrl 1 gt Selects the first session lt Ctrl 2 gt Selects the second session lt Ctrl 3 gt Selects the third session lt Left arrow gt Selects the previous module lt Right arrow gt Selects the next module lt Up arrow gt Selects the previous unit lt Down arrow gt
8. ge students in a discussion about the topic Individual students could take turns as a teacher s aide using the mouse and entering responses in to the computer Individual students who need special attention either for enrichment or remediation or because they were absent during regular class instruction can use the product to learn mathematics at their own pace This method works well if there is a computer lab in the school or several computers in the classroom Students who enjoy a challenge can try their hands at the workout questions comparing their solutions with those offered in Show Me Students who need more support can work through a tutorial repeating screens as necessary When the students have finished the tutorial they can try solving the workout problems that follow the tutorial In either case the student can be asked to prepare a summary report of what they have learned using the product A teacher can then discuss the report with the student to clear up any problems or questions that the student may have In its Standards publication the NCTM National Council of Teachers of Mathematics encourages collaborative problem solving Assign groups of two or three students to work together at a computer and complete a specific assignment Upon completion of the assignment students could prepare a written or oral report on what the group has learned during a session and how they solved the problems in the workouts Such student
9. king this button closes Destination MATH Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 4 Using Destination MATH The primary instructional component of Destination MATH is a session In order to select a session and work with Destination MATH you must first select a e Course Module Unit 1 4 0 1 Selecting a course To select a course 1 On the Destination MATH opening screen click the arrows to move between courses as shown in Figure 4 Figure 4 Course selection screen Note Once a course has been selected the course title is displayed on the title bar The modules associated with the course are also displayed on the screen Using the System Page 1 13 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 4 0 2 Selecting a module To select a module 1 On the selected course opening screen click the desired module tab Note The module tab furthest to the left is the default opening tab for any selected course 1 4 0 3 Selecting a unit 1 Selecting a module will display the units associated with that module Click a unit to select it Note The units associated with the module tab furthest to the left are the default units for each selected course 1 4 0 4 Selecting a session 1 Click the unit text to open the session selection screen Figure 5 Figure 5 Session selection screen Note The s
10. lti step and non routine problems as they work through each unit In the Show Me feature available in the workouts Riverdeep has incorporated a unique problem solving method called PACE that incorporates an analysis of a problem situation its solution and an evaluation of the result Students should see mathematics as an integrated whole rather than as a set of isolated and unrelated topics Further the study of mathematics should include seeing how the subject can be applied in other disciplines such as art music history and science In the Riverdeep courses the integration and application of mathematics into diverse and interesting environments provides relevance for the otherwise abstract discipline and increases the chance of a student successfully learning the required mathematics Applying its rules and procedures to solve real problems shows its versatility and power When solving a problem it is often useful to estimate the answer beforehand An estimate then acts as a predictor of a result and a check on the reasonableness of an answer As part of the many interactions within a tutorial and workout students are asked to find an estimate before performing a computation Then as part of a check they are asked to compare the solution to the estimate and check the reasonableness of their result Page 1 3 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd TARGETING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
11. ntend to go on to higher education The content of Mastering Algebra Course explores the language of algebra linear functions and equations systems of linear equations and linear inequalities in one and two variables The content of Mastering Algebra I Course Il investigates real numbers powers and polynomials quadratic functions and equations algebraic expressions and functions and graphical displays of describe data Clearly there is a need for these Riverdeep mathematics courses Data from major tests such as the Third International Mathematical and Science Study TIMSS reveal that there is a sharp decline in mathematical proficiency as U S students progress through the grades Although students in the 4th grade appear to be doing reasonably well in mathematics the performance of students at both the 8 grade level and the 12 grade level falls dismally below that of students in most other countries in the world In a review of the data the report authors state that Our curriculum textbooks and teaching are all a mile wide and an inch deep This preoccupation with breadth rather than depth with quantity rather than quality probably affects how well U S students perform in relation to their counterparts in other countries Thus reform of the mathematics curriculum and how we teach it to our students will require 1 Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics 1989 Reston V A National Co
12. portant as they are given the opportunity to take the next steps in the discovery of concepts and to use their prior knowledge in the confirmation of research The second use of narration in the Mastering Algebra courses is apparent in the workouts The narrator of explanations in Show Me acts as a personal tutor to the student The voice explains each step in the solution to a problem Again this narration works in tandem with the on screen text and graphics which illustrate every aspect of the solution in detail Students have opportunities during every tutorial to answer questions which vary in form Some are multiple choice some are text entry and some involve clicking and dragging objects on the screen Mathematical environments require students to plot points on a graph draw bar graphs or spin color wheels Such interactions are designed to give students a chance to practice what they are learning and to check for understanding The responses that students make during a tutorial are not scored and do not become part of their formal evaluation This is to encourage students to try to answer questions without fear of penalty When clicked Show Me takes the student through a step by step explanation of each step in the analysis and solution of a problem If after seeing part of the solution the student feels they may be able to answer the workout question they may return to the problem The method used in Show Me is PACE This is an
13. r both the written text and the emanations that appear on screen and provides friendly conversational support for students as they work through the unit A second narrator functions more as a teacher coach than a fellow traveler This voice is heard within two contexts During the tutorials it is the voice of the Earth Guide Dijit s handbook containing definitions rules and formulas In the workouts it is the voice of a personal tutor in the Show Me explanations explaining each step in the solution to a problem In either case accompanying text and graphics on screen reinforce everything that the narrators say The nature of the environment and the form of narration change in the Mastering Algebra courses The discovery of algebra is made possible through the dialog between two mutually curious voices one male and one female Discussion is drawn from observation and investigation and 1 Most of this information is available in the glossary Page 1 4 Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd INTERACTIONS PACE AND SHOW ME ANIMATION Using the System research is conducted through pertinent questioning The complement of this rich dialog is the illustration of every concept in detail through on screen text and graphics On screen interactions involve the student in this discussion of algebra The student s role in the development of the tutorial is im
14. ted in Figure 1 Figure 1 Logon dialog box 2 Enter the user s designated Username Password and Class in the appropriate fields 3 Click the OK button or press lt Return gt or lt Enter gt The Destination MATH opening screen as illustrated in Figure 2 is displayed Page 1 8 Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd Figure 2 Opening screen 1 2 1 2 Guest user To log on to Destination MATH as a guest user 1 Double click the Destination MATH icon located on the Desktop The program launches and the Logon dialog as illustrated in Figure 1 is displayed 2 Inthe username field type guest Note Guest users may log on as guest or Guest Leave the password field blank 3 Inthe class field enter the class name to which the courseware has been designated 4 Click the OK button or press the lt Return gt or lt Enter gt key The Destination MATH opening screen as illustrated in Figure 2 is displayed Note Guest users are allowed access only through the administration system For details of this feature please refer to Students Section 2 2 8 Using the System Page 1 9 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd 1 2 2 Invalid log on Page 1 10 Note A username password and class designation must be entered correctly In the event of an e invalid username being used
15. ule tab displays the units associated with the chosen module Unit Clicking the unit text displays the sessions associated with the chosen unit Using the System Page 1 11 Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd Session Tutorial button Workout button Course selection buttons Option buttons Resume button Quit button Page 1 12 Clicking the session text displays the tutorial and workout buttons for the chosen session Clicking this button launches the tutorial associated with the chosen session Clicking this button launches the first workout associated with the chosen session Further workouts can be accessed using the Navigation button see section 3 2 4 Clicking on the arrows allows navigation between the different courses The option buttons are e Bookmark Clicking this button opens a list of bookmarked screens that a student or group of students may wish to return to later e Progress Clicking this button opens a list of activities that a student or group of students have attempted e Assignment Clicking this button shows any assignments set for a student or group of students e Test Clicking this button shows a list of tests set for a student This button operates as an internal bookmark maintained by the system automatically which enables the student or a group of students who have logged on to return to the session previously worked on Clic
16. uncil of Teachers of Mathematics 2 Schmidt William H McKnight Curtis C and Raizen Senta A 1989 A splintered vision An investigation of U S science and mathematics education executive summary In A Splintered Vision Third International Mathematics and Science Study TIMSS Vol 1 Norwell MA Kluwer Academic Publishers http ustimss msu edu Page 1 2 Destination MATH Destination MATH Mac User Manual Version 4 0 2001 Riverdeep Interactive Learning Ltd MATHEMATICS AS PROBLEM SOLVING MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS ESTIMATION Using the System significant changes in current educational materials and practices With this in mind the courses developed by Riverdeep provide new ways to engage students in learning mathematics and to enhance the dialog between teacher and student 1 1 0 1 Correlations and performance standards Riverdeep has designed its products so that they address both process and performance standards in mathematics For example the design of every unit reflects the emphasis of the NCTM Standards on e Mathematics as problem solving Mathematical connections Estimation Also Riverdeep products help to e Target learning objectives Problem solving has always been a primary reason why people learn mathematics In the Riverdeep courses this standard is addressed through the presentation of problems based on real life situations Students are given many opportunities to solve one step mu
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