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Algebra Nation: A Powerful E-Learning

Ecosystem Joy B. Schackow, Ph.D.

Philip Poekert, Ph.D. UF Lastinger Center for Learning

Ethan Fieldman Study Edge

Amanda Shirley, M.Ed. Dixie M. Hollins High School, Pinellas County

The Initial Challenge What is Algebra Nation? How does Algebra Nation help students, teachers and parents? Algebra Nation is off to an exceptionally strong start. What participating students, teachers, and parents are saying

about Algebra Nation. What’s next for Algebra Nation? Taking on new challenges.

www.AlgebraNation.com

Algebra Nation Presentation

http://www.algebranation.com

In its first year of administrating the Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam, Florida saw high failure rates:

41 percent of all middle- and high-school students

52 percent of ninth-graders

More than 80 percent of students in high-needs schools

If it continues, a high failure rate could bottleneck Florida’s public school system because, to graduate, students must pass the Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam.

The Initial Challenge

A powerful e-learning ecosystem, Algebra Nation is an intensive, interactive, online, 24/7, free Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam preparation resource. This easy-to-use platform gives all students access to some of the state’s best math teachers and a host of highly effective online learning tools.

A Powerful Answer

Major Algebra Nation components include:

Instructional Videos

Study Guides

The Algebra Wall

Test Yourself Tool

Algebra Nation Components

Instructional Videos

Instructional Videos

Study Guides

Test Yourself Tool

Changes made to Algebra Nation based on teacher feedback: Pre-algebra skills section In-class resource Tips and Tricks updates Slower pacing on videos Tech updates Workbooks

Continual Collaboration

More than 4,000 students representing 600 schools from every school district in Florida have been using Algebra Nation.

More than 2,500 teachers have joined Algebra Nation. This represents about half the algebra teachers in Florida.

Teachers have played the Algebra Nation instructional videos in their classrooms more than 33,000 times and students have watched an additional 35,000 times at home

Student, teachers, parents and study experts post between 800-1,000 daily comments on the Algebra Wall.

They have posted more than 40,000 comments to date – and counting …

Usage Is Off the Charts

By Teachers For Teachers

Algebra Nation has emerged as a professional development resource for teachers.

Watch instructional videos

Read teachers’, students’, and study experts’ posts on the wall

Watch additional videos and content from 30 highly effective algebra teachers

By Teachers For Teachers

Algebra Nation allows teachers to expand their classrooms as far they want to take it.

Expanding The Classroom

Not Mr. Osbourne’s student

Peer Tutoring

Students tutor each other on the Algebra Wall.

Borderless Interaction

What Students are Saying

What Students are Saying

What Teachers Are Saying

“My students and I are thoroughly enjoying this terrific free resource; I encourage all Algebra teachers, students and their families to check it out!” Jennifer Miller, Hillsborough County “Hi, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your letter and all the wonderful tips, resources, and opportunities for my students and their parents to improve their Algebra skills!! I will be telling my students about your AWESOME website tomorrow!!! Thanks for the letters! Many THANKS again.” Marion Holton, Pinellas County

“I talked to a student who failed his systems of equations quiz and lessons (because, in fairness, it’s a tough concept). I told him to review Algebra Nation and try again and let me know how he did. He did it, and then scored 100% on his lessons and a 92% on his quiz. His dad was SO impressed and the student really did well, even enough to explain the concept to me verbally … it was AWESOME.” Shawn Wigg, FLVS “I used the inequalities video to review with my students for their midterm and they really got a kick out of the explosions just before the negative rule tip. I found that they were taking note of all the tips in the video and found it easy to follow. I will continue to use Algebra Nation to review for our upcoming Midterm Exam.” Olga Ferber, Palm Beach County

What Teachers Are Saying

The Algebra Nation team has been working with teachers, parents, students, department heads, math coaches, content area leaders, principals, tech coaches and district administrators in many Florida districts, including:

Alachua

Bay

Broward

Citrus

Collier

Duval

Hillsborough

Leon

Statewide Community

Miami-Dade

Okeechobee

Orange

Palm Beach

Pasco

Pinellas

St. Lucie

Statewide Community

The Algebra Nation team has been working with four high-needs schools, providing them with extra support and collecting more data:

Andrew Jackson High School in Duval County

Dixie Hollins High School in Pinellas County

Palm Beach Lakes High School in Palm Beach County

Olympic Heights High School in Palm Beach County

The Algebra Nation team has made four visits to each school, set up a liaison in each school and is offering a two-day boot camp in each school.

Focus Schools

Teachers want focused, aligned instructional resources.

Some teachers say textbooks are not enough.

Need for interactive experiences

Common Core is complicated.

What We Learned

Next phase:

Substantially expand and enhance the professional development features of Algebra Nation to help all algebra teachers in this state – and potentially the country

Focus on instructional shifts required by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

This Algebra CCSS professional development network will add new features to provide effective scaffolding. These new elements include:

Taking On New Challenges

Allows teachers to ask questions and share effective strategies about CCSS adoption 24/7 and receive responses from colleagues and experts throughout the state.

CCSS experts will monitor the interactions in real time, answering questions and reading every thread to ensure the accuracy of peer replies.

Discussions sparked on the CCSS professional development network’s educators-only wall will be simultaneously individualized yet universal.

An Educators-Only Interactive Wall

This easy-to-access resource, curated by University of Florida professors and other experts, will feature:

CCSS instruction videos

Complementary material such as lesson plans

Teacher-created strategies, tools and resources

All the material will be curated and indexed to specific standards.

CCSS Algebra 1 Resource

Library for Teachers

A CCSS Assessment Tool: This indispensible tool will allow teachers to evaluate their grasp of the standards, identify areas that need improvement and easily find targeted supports.

A Borderless Community of Practice: This collaborative learning environment will accelerate CCSS adoption among algebra teachers throughout the state and generate new knowledge from educators and experts who will continuously contribute to it.

Ubiquitous Accessibility: Teachers and experts will be able to seamlessly access this easy-to-navigate ecosystem on any desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Other CCSS Network features

Feedback?

Q&A

Computer/Tablet:

Navigate to AlgebraNation.com

Access Teacher Resources with Password: algebranation2013

OR

Login with Facebook

iPhone/Android:

Search App Store for “Algebra Nation”

Install and open App

Access Algebra Nation