How one Utah school uses technology to boost math proficiency  | | (AFP/Getty Images/NewsCred) | Some educators at a middle school in Utah credit interactive whiteboards, hand-held devices, flip cameras and other technology with boosting students' math scores. Students have used cameras to make videos explaining math concepts and interactive whiteboards with clickers to solve math problems. Last spring, 79% of students were proficient on end-of-year math tests, up from 37% three years ago. "A lot of the reason is our use of technology," teacher Roger Haglund said. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (5/27)
Using robots in the classroom to support STEM, literacy Some educators are finding that robots can provide interesting learning opportunities for students, from supporting literacy to demonstrating concepts in science, technology, engineering and math. "[The robot] gives the instructors a tool to get them interested in the learning and then the math behind it is a surprise to them," said educator Jerry Moldenhauer, who uses robots in his high-school engineering classes. Educator Gretchen Robinson uses a robot to increase engagement in literacy lessons for kindergarten students, programming the device to read aloud to students and answer questions as part of lessons on storytelling. KQED.org/Mind/Shift blog (5/27) Other News
 | Study shows how some schools make the most of longer school days  | | (tobkatrina/NewsCred) | Schools in low-income areas are improving students' performance by lengthening school days from six-and-a-half hours to eight hours. Research from the National Center on Time & Learning found successes in schools in which the staff invest time in assessing students, analyzing and using data to boost instruction and to determine which students need more supports. "This process creates a continuous improvement loop that allows schools to provide excellent instruction driven by student needs," the study states. The Deseret News (Salt Lake City) (5/27)
Other News | N.J. board seeks to align science, preschool standards with common core The New Jersey State Board of Education recently proposed the adoption of Next Generation Science Standards, which some board members say complement Common Core State Standards in math and English. "The connections are so obvious," board member Dorothy Strickland said. "You're really teaching not just to the science facts, but the notion of taking a particular idea and dissecting it." The board also proposed changing standards for preschool students to align with common core. The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) (5/23) | High-school agriculture classes stress science Science and technology figure strongly into the high-school agriculture courses at some schools in Pennsylvania. Students taking such courses in one district can expect to delve into genetic engineering, environmental science or the chemical content of food. "For many years we taught the production side (of agriculture) -- how to do it. Now we talk about how it happens. That's biology," teacher Clair Witwer said. LancasterOnline (Pa.) (5/27) | Ga. program spurs employer outreach to schools Businesses are active in high schools and students are becoming familiar with the workplace under a Georgia Department of Education program aimed at closing the science, technology, engineering and math skills gap. The Global Workforce Initiative offers students opportunities, ranging from plant tours and job shadowing to internships. "We want to make it real for the students. And if it's real, they get interested," said Denis Brosnan with the initiative. WXIA-TV (Atlanta) (5/26) |  | Whatever your discipline, become a student of excellence in all things. Take every opportunity to observe people who manifest the qualities of mastery. These models of excellence will inspire you and guide you toward the fulfillment of your highest potential." -- Tony Buzan and Michael Gelb, authors | | | | Math Education SmartBrief is an aggregation of published news and editorial content from diverse sources. The content of Math Education SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the position or editorial viewpoint of any particular organization. | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions.
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