Testing CAI Courseware in Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Math

Testing CAI Courseware in Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Math The dramatic changes occurring in our economy and society cause one to stand back and take stock of what we're teaching in our schools and how we're presenting the subject matter. One begins to wonder if our classrooms are truly staying abreast of our rapidly changing world. Are we supplying today's students with the skills for an era that is quickly leaving us, or are we equipping these young minds with the technical knowledge necessary to meet the challenge of a fast-paced, high-tech and information-oriented world? It is apparent that we as educators have attempted to address these needs but have fallen short of achieving our goal of preparing students to be contributing members of a progressive society. In order to complete this task and restore credibility to education, we must pursue the necessary reforms in the educational system. The Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District in Hurst, Texas, is attempting to address this move toward technology while maintaining a program that is still sensitive to the needs of children and continues to place the classroom teacher in the role of diagnosing and prescribing appropriate instruction. Located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and adjacent to the D/FW International Airport, H-E-B ISD has established a successful school model that is piloting computer hardware and software while reviewing and modifying classroom strategies and instructional techniques. Hurst Hills Elementary School has been the site of several innovative ventures in educational technology. While receiving national attention for its implementation of a high-tech curriculum, the staff and administration have remained very responsive to the individual needs of students and to the importance of maintaining a warm and positive school environment. Technology and education come together in a "high-tech, high-touch". sup.1 setting. The Purpose of the School Our move toward the integration of computers in education began in May of 1985 when a proposal was submitted to Apple Computer to participate in their model schools proram. We outlined the purposes and goals of the "School of the Future" we wanted to establish in our district. The "School of the Future" would pilot computer hardware and software and make recommendations to the district regarding the purchase of these products. Information regarding the success of various instructional programs would be disseminated to other campuses. The district's ultimate goal would be to establish a curriculum that would be instructionally sound and supported by a system of computer hardware and instructional software. Eventually, the goal would embrace other forms of educational technology, such as videodiscs. Once Apple agreed in the Fall of 1986 to be a partner in the district's endeavor, the process of selecting the site for the joint venture began. Several sites were considered before the selection was finalized. Hurst Hills Elementary School had a number of characteristics that made it the most appropriate location. Built in 1969, it was designed as an open concept school. Its two hexagonal-shaped pods each consists of ten classrooms, each of which opens into a large resource center centrally located in each pod. For the research project we were undertaking, the central resource areas were converted into two computer labs. This floor plan allows students and teachers easy access from the classrooms to the labs. Only a few minor electrical and structural modifications were needed to complete the physical aspects of the project. Extra cafeteria tables were brought from storage and arranged in a hexagonal design to accommodate the shape of the lab. Apple IIGS computers, selected for their networking and graphics capabilities, were purchased jointly by Apple and the school district. Having computers with the IIGS' characteristics allowed the district to consider some of the more sophisticated instructional courseware products that were available. …