Going high-tech in algebra Conway classroom uses wireless system in research project

Learning math in Kyle Branscum's algebra class at Conway High School-East is as much fun as playing video games. Well, almost.

Branscum, a first-year teacher, was one of 60 teachers nationwide selected to be part of a three-year research project to determine whether the wireless TI-Navigator improves instruction inAlgebra I.

Kyle Branscums algebra I class at Conway High School-East is one of the test groups for the new wireless TI-Navigator which is designed to improve instruction. The menu on the board is seen in every students' calculator and allows the group to work on projects together and with the instructor. ANTHONY REYES PHOTO

So far, it's a hit with Branscum and his students.

"One of the reasons they really like it, it's like a math video game kind of. They learn and at the same time they have fun, and it's like they're playing a game," Branscum said.

Branscum said he has a "little box," a receiver, that goes with his computer. There are eight hubs located throughout the classroom, and each hub allows four students to plug graphing calculators into it.

The system allows the students to communicate with Branscum through their calculators and his computer, and he can respond to them as well.

"One of the best things about that is it increases student participation. They don't have to worry about embarrassment of getting it wrong," he said.

Ninth-grader Emily Rose said she doesn't mind raising her hand to ask a question, but she still likes the system. "It helps me a lot. It helps me understand what he's getting at, because I can see it on here and on the board," she said, picking up the yellow calculator on her desk.

She admitted with a giggle that she doesn't like math, "but this does help."

Student Chris Cardin said, "It makes it a lot easier than if we had it up on the board and he made us write it down. It's less complicated."

Alex Gillen, also in the ninth-grade class, said, "It's pretty cool. We can do quizzes and stuff on the calculator."

Although the research is only being done in one class, all of Branscum's classes get to use the calculators. Branscum said the goals of the project are to increase the quality of questions asked by the teacher, stimulate class discussions and provide "almost constant feedback to the teacher about student comprehension."

Branscum said, "I love it, and the students love it, too. It makes them excited about math, I guess because they feel like they've got a part in it. It has an activity center which is set up like a grid on a graph, and they can actually graph lines from their calculators, and their line will appear on the big screen in front of the class.

"It can be confidential .... it can have their name or without their name."

Branscum, a native of Leslie (Searcy County), spent a week in August at Ohio State University training on the system. He will attend additional one-week training sessions throughout the project.

Sixty teachers were chosen last summer and 60 more teachers will be added to the program this summer, including Mayflower Middle School algebra teacher Matt Dalke, according to Tony Timms, math specialist for the Conway district.

Branscum was nominated to participate in the research by Timms.

Timms said he received an e-mail from Dr. Doug Owens, the man in charge of the project at Ohio State, asking for interested teachers. Linda Hargis, assistant principal at CHS-East, recommended Branscum.

Timms said he is excited about the project because of the technology.

"Here's how I see technology - you and I are immigrants to technology, because we weren't born with it. These guys today, these students, are natives of technology. They have never lived without a remote control in their hand or a cell phone in their hand. ... For us to bring a system that's wireless, we thought that would be an engaging tool," Timms said.

The almost instant feedback from the students is invaluable to the teacher, he added. "He (Branscum) could give a quick poll, and they could answer 'yes,' 'no,' or 'true,' 'false.' Do I go on, or do I back up? It provides the teacher the opportunity to ask the next best question to the student."

Timms said the district had already decided to buy the Navigator system, and there are two others on the East campus and one at CHS-West.

Branscum believes the research project will be a success.

"The big thing is, they're wanting to see how it increases the student productivity in the classroom, so that's the purpose for the research. They're also looking for ways to improve.

"So, I guess after the three years we'll have ideas of things to improve it, and whether it's good or not. I don't think they have to worry about that. It is a good thing."

(Staff writer Tammy Keith can be reached by e-mail at tammy.keith @thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1238.)