Be Your Own Co-Teacher with YAY MATHMelinda WilderITEC 7445Emerging Technologies ProjectNovember 2, 2013

What is YAY MATH?• According to www.yaymath.org, “The YAY MATH video project

is a free service dedicated to meeting the growing need for math success in a positive, lively, and confidence boosting way. YAY MATH stands as the premiere online math video lesson series filmed in a live classroom, with real student interaction. Since its inception four years ago,…, gone are the days of the “I just can’t do math” style of thinking. It’s time to re-invent our entire approach to success.”

What is YAY MATH’s mission?

To see the creator, Robert Ahdoot, explain the purpose and vision of YAY MATH, click on the link below.

Conquering Math Anxiety – The Power of YAY MATH

How does YAY MATH promote the technology vision of our school?• The technology vision of the Bartow County school system is

to provide “quality instruction and excellent educational experiences while insuring academic achievement through the technology for the students we serve.” (see Technology Plan here)

• Using YAY MATH videos as a supplemental resource in our classrooms, we can essentially be our own inclusion teacher. As students watch videos, you are free to move around the classroom and conference with students that are struggling. The videos can stopped so that additional instruction can be provided.

How can YAY MATH serve the students of Woodland High School?• Woodland High School has approximately 1600 students.

Roughly 220 of these students (14%) are served in the Special Education program. However, due to budget cuts and lack of funding, many students, that need more support, can only be served in the regular education classroom with only one teacher.

• The diverse student body also requires that teachers differentiate instruction. In addition to the Special Education program, Woodland also serves roughly 90 students in the Student Support Team (SST) program.

• Through the use of YAY MATH videos and resources, we can essentially add another teacher to the classroom thus decreasing the student-to-teacher ratio.

• Teachers can reach a variety of learners despite the lack of human resources.

• Students can learn to use different technologies to support their own learning thus creating independent learners.

• Teachers can incorporate appropriate interventions so that all students can experience success in math classes.

• In addition to learning math skills, students will also be acquiring technology skills preparing them for “higher education programs and the world of work…” (see Technology Plan).

• And most importantly, students can experience success in our classes and begin to find math exciting and enjoyable.

What do we want to accomplish?• First and foremost, we want to increase student achievement

through the use of this instructional technology.

• Use YAY MATH videos and resources to meet the needs of our diverse student body including special education students, students served through SST, and regular education students.

• Increase student proficiency and comfort with educational technology resources.

• Additionally, human resources (teachers) can be used in the most efficient manor, conferencing with students that need us the most!

What are the benefits of using YAY MATH?• Individualized pacing and instruction for students at all ability

levels.

• Students benefit from the “inclusion” classroom without the added cost of an additional teacher.

• Serves as a resource outside of the classroom that students can access at home via a computer or cell phone.

• Students develop a new, positive, exciting, and empowered idea of math.

Who’s our target population?

• The videos cover topics from a variety of high school math classes.

• The population that would benefit the most from the YAY MATH inclusion model is classrooms with a diverse group of students both in learning style and ability level.

• Classrooms that would traditionally be inclusion classrooms, but are not for whatever reason, will benefit from the additional instructional resource.

• In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, a teacher would need to pilot the program and use YAY MATH videos and resources consistently in their classrooms. Data could then be collected and compared to other classrooms.

What equipment do we need to make this work?

• All classrooms at Woodland are equipped with interactive whiteboards; all teachers have Mac computers that are connected to the projectors; and all classrooms have access to the internet. Therefore, any math classroom would have access to the YAY MATH videos.

• Additionally, this a free resource so the district would not encounter any additional expense.

What kinds of technical support are available?

• At Woodland we have a technology team that is made up of teachers that can assist if any issues arise with the projector, computer, or their connection.

• The YAY MATH website is easy to use. All teachers have to do is search for a video and then press play.

What are some limitations of this program?

• There are not YAY MATH videos for every topic that will be covered in every math class. However, there are many videos that cover almost every topic in a traditional Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry course.

• Parents and students may see this as a teacher being “lazy”; however, with adequate communication, both parents and students can understand the benefits of this program.

How much would this cost us?

• Because the website itself (at this time) is a free resource and all classrooms at Woodland High School are already equipped with projectors, computers, and internet access, there would be no cost!

• Because there is not cost, funding resources are not necessary.

How will we use this technology?• Teachers will use this technology to help all students meet

content standards despite their diverse learning styles and ability levels.

• Teachers will use this technology to support the education of al students, even special education students that have traditionally been served in the inclusive setting.

• Teachers will use this technology to remediate basic skills so that all students can be successful at grade level.

• Teachers will use this technology to change students’ attitudes about math.

• Students will use this technology to self-assess and improve weaknesses.

How does this technology promote individual learning goals?• Teachers can use this technology to: • Determine areas of specific weaknesses for all

students.• Assign specific videos to individual students with

specific weaknesses.• Differentiate instruction for a variety of learners.• Decrease the student-to-”teacher” ratio.• Encourage students and change attitudes about math.

How could this technology be used to differentiate instruction?• This whole program is a method of differentiation. It is a way

for teachers to introduce technology into the classroom as a way to meet the needs of all learners.

• Students can review videos outside of class as a way to work at their own pace.

• Students can be assigned specific videos that address individualized weaknesses or needs.

How can this technology be used to promote communication?• This technology can be used to increase student

understanding of mathematical concepts, thus improving their ability to correctly use mathematical vocabulary, leading to mathematical communication skills.

• Additionally, if students begin to understand where their weaknesses lie, they will be able to communicate these weaknesses to their teachers improving the quality of instruction and remediation.

What does the research say?• There is very little research directly focused on YAY MATH

videos. YAY MATH is an emerging resource. However, there is much research on the effectiveness of innovative initiatives in the mathematics classroom.• A study that was conducted by the US Department of Education

(click here to read the study) found that technology in the classroom accomplished the following:• Increased Motivation and Self Esteem• Developed Students’ Technical Skills• Allowed Students to Accomplish More Complex Tasks• Allowed for More Collaboration with Peers• Increased the Use of Outside Resources• Improved Design Skills

• Additionally the importance of differentiated instruction speaks volumes about the relevance of YAY MATH videos.• The School Tutoring Academy says, “Educators should

understand how each child compiles knowledge and then how to reconstruct that presented knowledge to demonstrate a given curriculum expectation. The toughest factor that educators face is addressing their expansive yet unique classroom culture. The simple solution is to differentiate your lessons to reach a diverse audience.”

What do the critics say?• Some critics argue that the use of videos in math classes only leads to

temporary memorization of material and does not help students develop conceptual understandings. • The videos work in the same way as regular instruction; any

conceptualization that could be developed during regular instruction can also be developed through the use of YAY MATH videos.

• Also, some teachers that implement videos in their teaching are viewed as lazy or not doing their jobs. • If used correctly, teachers are still teaching. Teachers stop videos and

elaborate on topics and move throughout the classroom to conference with students.

• Instead of promoting student engagement, videos may cause some students to become withdrawn and disengaged. • If YAY MATH videos are not used as an additional resource instead of the

primary source of instruction, they can be harmful; however, if used appropriately as an instructional resource can be very valuable.

How do we get started?• First, we need to choose classrooms to pilot the program.

Ideally, the classroom would have diverse students with a variety of learning styles and ability levels. Teachers would need to commit to incorporating YAY MATH videos into their daily instruction.

• Teachers would need minimal training related to how to show videos. Teachers may need to see the “co-teaching” demonstrated by a teacher who is already using the system.

• Once the program is piloted and any issues are resolved, the teaches and the administration will need to decide if the program warrants moving forward. If it is determined that the program should move forward, the original teachers could server as mentors for others.

Endorsements• YAY MATH has been featured on numerous news programs

and publications.

• Additionally, YAY MATH has been featured on knowmia.com, backpack.tv, and numerous online mathematics forums.

• YAY MATH videos have received over 3 million views on YouTube.

My Reflections• I think the biggest issue that could arise with the use of YAY

MATH videos is the perception that teachers are taking the easy way out. However, if used correctly, teachers are actually working just as hard, but merely presenting the information in a different format.

• I have used these videos in my classroom multiple times. I have found my students to be extremely interested in what Ahdoot says. Ahdoot presents the information in a fun and entertaining way.

• Also, I have noticed my students like seeing that other students (from the videos) have the same questions they do.

• I have also found that the way I explain a topic and the way Ahdoot explains a topic can be very different which allows me to reach more students in my classroom.