Shared in three sessions (Gaming Arcade, Interactive Visualizations-Simulations-and Games, and Friday morning poster session), this poster addresses the gaps identified in the Math Snacks project, and the approach to designing the games and animations that are the "Snacks".
Math Snacks address significant gaps in understanding. They are not defined as "homework help", but as a way to help learners understand the concepts behind frequently misunderstood math ideas. That means, that we will not see a large check off list of multiple math standards addressed. Rather than moving towards breadth in coverage of standards, we expect to see a few standards addressed in a way that learners have a deeper understanding of the concepts addressed.
Our researchers have identified frequently missed items on tests. Using this as a starting point, they have engaged in multiple qualitative studies including classroom observation and interviews with student and teacher to understand *what* is being misunderstood. This means that some gaps may not be on standards for 6th and 7th grades, but may be misunderstood concepts from previous grades, that are preventing the learner from fully understanding new content addressed in later grades. Gaps are driven by the questions, "Why can't the learner answer this question correctly? What are they misunderstanding? What pre-requisite understanding must the learner have to understand grade-appropriate math, and how can we help learners with the pre-requisite understanding?" Where Math Snacks address conceptual understandings, supplemental teaching tools will help learners apply their understanding in context of grade-appropriate math.