Abstract:      This project will explore the question:

                          What is the effectiveness of integrating a computer based audio-visual mathematics tutoring program into current teaching and learning practice at Smithton High School and its effects on student attitudes to learning, conceptual understanding and skill acquisition?

                     Imagine a challenging district high school situated in an isolated semi-rural area suffering from a negative community image and in some areas backed up by poor student performance. However, imagine this high school can now offer an individual mathematics tutoring system to re-enforce key mathematical concepts for every student at every level. It offers an opportunity to catch up on missed learning due to illness and to scaffold learning of extended skills for the more advanced students. It is implemented by easy-to-use computer-based audio-visual software, negating the need for excessive interpretation of text and providing an opportunity for those weaker at literacy to gain an improved mathematical understanding. This is part of the vision for mathematics learning at Smithton High School for 2006.

                     This is to be achieved by partaking in an opportunity to participate in a trial implementation of an Australian-based software package called ‘Mathspower’. Mathspower uses PowerPoint type presentations of concepts with voice instructions, by an Australian educator, spoken throughout the lesson. Each lesson can be replayed as many times as a student needs and is accompanied by an associated worksheet.

CONTACT: Simon Browning [simonb@utas.edu.au] Smithton High School

Other files are available about this project: