My
Action Research Plan is to answer the question:
Is Think Through Math and effective intervention for math? The State of Texas is furnishing public
school students interventions in Reading and Math through the Student Success
Initiative (SSI). They have funded the
use of Think Through Math and iStation for public school students in grades
3-8.
Getting
Think Through Math (TTM) started was not as easy as I anticipated. The software appears highly motivational and
fun on the surface. However, I am not
sure the company was quite prepared to be launched state-wide when it was
released. There are many components that
are still works in progress – some components are highly important, such as
reports! The few reports that are
available on the website do not have a printable view option – we must export
them to Excel, then “doctor” them to make them look decent. Without good report data, it is difficult to
establish if the program is effective.
I have
been in contact with the people of TTM many times in getting started and
troubleshooting problems we face. I have attended two web conferences to learn
more about the program. The consultants
answer my questions without really answering them, if that makes sense. I feel like they are trying to gloss over the
problems and, instead, draw my attention to the flashy parts. The program is web-based, and we have found
that it is quite “glitchy” with frequent system freezing and errors. The TTM support staff assure me that it is an
error on our end, however, schools all over our district are having the same
problems. Frustrating.
My campus
is using TTM and iStation both as a part of our tutoring programs. For example, our 5th graders who
are in need of intervention are asked to arrive at school a half hour before
school starts to work on these programs in the computer lab. The teachers call it “Breakfast Club” because
on Fridays they reward those who attended faithfully with donuts!
I am
considering modifying my action research topic to also include iStation since
we are using both of the programs provided by SSI. I’m not sure if that’s allowed…?? Our students MUCH prefer using iStation
because of the kid-friendly interface.
They feel like they are playing a game rather than completing lessons. The iStation program also has not had all of
the glitches. Our students look forward
to “playing” iStation.
