| Table of contents | Prev | Next | 1. Introduction to Glory Math Learning System
The Glory Math Learning System (GMLS) is a very intricate, powerful computer program that can perform the following tasks:
The heart of GMLS consists of two banks of computer programs; practice problems and assessment problems for each math competency. Practice Problems The entire Glory Math Learning System is organized by grade level divided into math areas; Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Decimals, and Fractions. Each area is further divided into concept categories including; money, time, measurement, geometry, and problem solving. Each category is filled with practice projects that advance the math skill in tiny Ramp-up steps. Each math practice project targets a math competency. The program layout consists of three areas; title, illustration of concept and example, and practice problems. The graphics in each project are vivid and eye catching to help keep students' attention and interest in learning. It is important to note that the computer generates an infinite series of practice problems for each project. Practice and story problems have sets of numbers that randomly appear. Projects are immediately evaluated as the students finish the problem, and students can fix the ones they got wrong. Because of the random numbers generated, students will always have new combinations of number to try. Math Assessment Two areas are provided to assess student skill levels. An interactive placement test will step students through the ramp of skills, testing each one to determine where any skill gaps are located. Graphic results are provided for the teacher and student. Also, a practice standardized test is available to allow students to ready themselves for various state tests that are mandated.
1.2 How to Effectively Use the Glory Math System Glory Math is an Internet based learning system that provides innovative solutions to meet the needs of math learning for students in various skill levels. Teachers and students are the primary users. Daily Lesson Plans Each Glory Math practice project targets a math competency. Teachers can use the illustration as an example to explain the math concepts and skills and use the practice problems to show how to solve problems step-by-step. Using a computer and projector, teachers can deliver daily lessons based on the practice projects that are readily available in the learning system. Teachers who have access to computer labs can do example problems, teaching the concepts from the example, and then have students practice the project questions for a period of time. The teacher may present the projects one at a time, or in a set of four or five as a group. Homework Assignments Homework assignments keep students on the track toward their mastery of basic math skills. The homework feature of Glory Math allows teachers to create homework assignments, controlling release and due dates, and enjoy the automatic grading and reporting. Assignments can be set up in advance to be automatically activated when the designated date is reached. Teachers can combine many topics into a single homework, or assign a series of projects covering a single topic. Placement Tests A placement test in the 6 areas (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Fractions, Division, and Decimals) is designed to identify students' strengths and weaknesses in each major skill category. Teachers can select an area to be tested and from the report generated determine what projects and combinations of projects will best help that student. The Glory Math Learning System can also automatically build a program of study from the test results. This program is called the Personalized Learning Plan. Practice Problems Students have a screen icon called Practice. When they click on the icon, they are presented with the learning plans designated by the teacher. All of the problems come from one of the three types of learning plans (Grade level, Topic, Personalized). Problem practice can be done anywhere the student has Internet access. This means the teacher can have the entire class working on Practice in the computer lab, with each student working on an individual program. Alternatively, students could work on classroom (or home) computers at designated times. The system records the student process and the teacher can look at the current status. Personal (Intervention) Learning Plan Students in the same class often have a wide range of math abilities and skill levels. Talented students' math skills may be well ahead of the grade level. Slower learners or underachievers may be behind the grade level in several skill categories. Unified-pace learning plans cannot meet the needs of students in various skill levels in the same class. The Personal Learning Plan is best suited to a class with students having a wide range of skills. It is ideal as an intervention program for bridging the gap of a student's current capabilities and the target grade level. All of the competency gaps of each category are identified by a placement test and their associated practice programs are integrated into a Personalized Learning plan. The personalized learning plan has the following features:
The Personal Learning Plan available in the Glory Math Learning System is generated by the computer. Upon completion of a Placement test, the teacher simply directs the system to generate a list of projects that the students need to practice to fill any gaps in their math skills. After the system generates the list, the teacher can modify the list to further customize the learning plan for the student. Once completed, the teacher can repeat the process in another area, or change the student to the Grade Level or Topic Learning Plan. Grade Level Learning Plan When a student is assigned to a Grade Level Learning Plan, all of the problems for that grade become their practice problems. The projects are presented in the order of the category list for that grade. Topical Learning Plan When a teacher wants students to work on a math topic, such as the entire set of projects for the measurement category, the teacher can select the Topical Learning Plan option in the Glory Math Learning System. The teacher selects one or more topics for the plan, and assigns it to an individual student. Within each topic, the teacher can remove individual projects and add projects from different grade levels. 1.3 Four-Run Learning Model The Glory Math Learning System uses a four-run learning model to guide students to effectively learn math skills in a systematic manner. The first run, called run 1, is the practice run. The second run is referred to as the test run that checks how much students know in each math competency. The third run is called the relearn run that allows students to practice each competency that they have not mastered in the second run. The fourth run is referred to as the remedial run that identifies the weaknesses of students and allows the teachers to provide tutoring to ensure the students achieved the goals. The 4-run learning model is designed to ensure that students master every math skill and competency to the satisfactory level. GMLS also provides control parameters for teachers to customize the learning process so that it best suits their own needs. Run 1 (Practice Run) Run 1 is the practice run. Students have to complete a set number of problems in each competency project in Run 1. The purpose is to allow students to grasp the concept of the competency and practice the problems. Practice results are listed in the database that students, teachers and administrators can review. The learning projects in each category are organized into practice sections. Each section consists of about 10 projects. Students have to complete the required number of problems in each project of the section before the system goes to Run 2. Once students have completed at least one problem in a project, they can click on the icon for the next project. However, they have to complete the required number of problems in each project of the section before advancing to Run 2. Run 2 (Test Run) Run 2 checks students' learning. Students do a pre-set number of problems in each project in the section. The system keeps track of speed and accuracy to determine whether the students have passed according to the learning criteria. Once the student passes a project, it will be skipped in Run 3. Otherwise, students have to return to the project in Run 3. Run 3 (Relearn/Test Run) Run 3 asks students to retry the competency by practicing more problems. While students are doing more problems, the system compares the results to the criteria to standards set by the teacher to determine whether the minimum criteria have been met. Those projects passed in Run 3 will be skipped in Run 4. Run 4 (Tutoring/Remedial Run) Run 4 is the remedial run that allows teachers to review students' detailed learning records and decide what action should to be taken to help students.
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