Math Matters in Careers:

A New Vision for Florida

Introducing 3-D Educational Games to the CTE

Classroom

An Invitation to Explore Math Matters Educational Games

Who will be using the games? What are the games about? Where are the games available? When should you use the games in your

instruction? Why gaming in CTE classrooms? How are the games designed?

Who will be using the games?

• Middle School students in Grade 7 and Grade 8 participating in CTE classes in the following schools:

• Carver Century Middle

• Warrington Middle

• Woodham Middle

will be Field Testing-Fall, 2007

What are the games about?

Aligning Standards to Content Promoting Career Education Supporting Math Performance Motivating Students to Pursue Advanced

Math Studies Implementing Innovative Instructional

Strategies Using Technology to Engage Students

Where are the games available?

Each participating middle school (Carver, Warrington, and Woodham) has purchased laptop carts including a class set of student laptops, a projector, and a printer.

The software for the educational games are loaded on the laptops.

Check with your school technology coordinator for cart availability.

When should you use the games in your instruction?

The four educational games have been designed to align with 6 of the 16 Career Clusters for Career and Technical Education.

Architecture and ConstructionBusiness Management and AdministrationHealth ScienceInformation Technology (IT)Law, Public Safety and SecurityScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

•As you introduce students to career choices, you can use the games as a supplemental resource to extend career exploration.•You may choose to incorporate the games during part or all of an instructional period.•Games are introductory/exploratory, but … student strengths and weaknesses in math and career content knowledge can be determined through program reports available for each student.

Why gaming in CTE classrooms?

In 2007, high school freshmen must declare major

7-8 grade students participate in CTE classes to introduce them to the 16 career clusters and individual careers

Showcase importance of math in careers – promoting advanced math studied

Continue efforts to improve math performance

How are the games designed?As stated previously, the games are introductory and exploratory, but …

student strengths and weaknesses in math and career content knowledge can be determined through program reports available for

each student. Game Elements

• Direct Instruction• Expert Interaction• Enrichment

Game Overview• The Providers• Sustainers• Outbreak Unknown• Towers of Zahlen

Game Resources• Curriculum Guide• Trading Cards for The Providers• Brochures• CD with Print and Video Material• Online Learning Community-Visit Our Website! http://uwf.edu/mathmatters

Game ElementsDirect Instruction• Career Introduction• Player/Character Biographies• Job Aids• Summaries at each Level

Expert Interaction• Video Vignettes• Non-Playing Characters

Enrichment• Career Information Portal• Supplemental Instructional Strategies (WebQuests,

Games, Websites with Career Information)• Trading Cards for The Providers game

Game Overview-The Providers Members of an elite

group called the Providers collect fuel cells found at mathematically coded locations in the galaxy for the reactor which is low on fuel cells. Each level introduces different coordinate locations, equations, and navigation obstacles.

Game Overview- Sustainers As franchise owner of

Stellar Telecom Company, you must restore and expand the telecommunication framework within the colonies on a space station. Once the tasks are completed you will then earn a salary to reinvest in your business.

Game Overview- Outbreak Unknown

As part of a team of scientists, you find an antidote for a virus attacking plants and causing giant mutations.

Game Overview- Towers of Zahlen

An adventure game set in a world of mathematical towers where you engage the help of subject matter specialists, solve problems to unlock doors, and avoid traps to restore harmony.

Game Materials Curriculum Guide for each teacher gives detailed

information about the grant initiative, gaming theory, math tutorials, and game frameworks aligned to Sunshine State Standards

Resource CD with local career profiles, career video clips used in the games, print materials, and slide presentations

Trading cards for your students to collect from the game The Providers

Brochures for Educators, Parents, and Students Online learning community-visit our website and explore

WebQuests related to the game themes, career video and website links to use in your classroom

http://uwf.edu/mathmatters

Why Gaming? Students learn best when they are entertained and can use their own creative

skills (Carlson, 2003) Motivation, communication, problem solving, teamwork, creativity (Jenkins,

2003; Morton, 1998; Tews, 2001) Fun helps to make learning enjoyable, compelling, and effective (Prensky, 2001) Competition is creative and enjoyable (Akilli, 2006) Intrinsic motivation – self-regulation (Reiber, 1996) Increases motivation and eagerness for learning (Malone, 1987) Fantasy increases enthusiasm (Malone, 1987) Interactive feedback (Gredler, 1994; Prensky, 2001; Reiber, 1996) Engross learner, focus and reward (Prensky, 2001) Models use of gaming in the “real world” (Gee, 2005; Prensky, 2001) Complex problem solving skill practice, involving manipulation of patterns and

objectives (Pivec, Dziabenko & Shinnerl, 2003; Jenkins, 2003)