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ExploreLearning: An award-winning developer of online simulations for math and science education.

by Murtaza Ozdemir

Exciting world of Virtual Manipulatives!

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The world's largest collection of online interactive simulations.

ExploreLearning.comExploreLearning.com

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ExploreLearning.comExploreLearning.com ExploreLearning.com is a

subscription based site of an extensive collection of over 400 virtual manipulatives (simulations of math and science concepts), which the developers call "Gizmos.“

Currently the simulations library encompasses most math and science requirements for grades 6 through 12: Algebra, Geometry, Physics, Data Analysis, Biology, Chemistry, and Earth/Space Science.

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What is a Gizmo ?Each gizmo is a brief, animated

Shockwave presentation, accompanied by controls, a series of assessment

questions, and an "exploration guide" that suggests a series of experiments for

students.

Every Gizmo has an Exploration Guide that help students develop critical

thinking skills and conceptual understanding . In addition to

containing specific instructions on how to use the Gizmo, each Exploration Guide provides a guided activity for

students to use when they interact with a Gizmo.

Upon clicking the button, a popup window will display containing the

Exploration Guide. Feel free to move the popup window around on your screen to allow you to easily go back and forth

between the Gizmo and the Guide.

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• Interactive simulation that makes key concepts easier to understand and fun to learn.

• The Gizmos provide visual and dynamic representations of abstract concepts to make it easier to understand.

• Gizmos provide instant feedback and are self-demand/self-pacing/self-evaluating.

• Click the button below to see a sample Gizmo.

What Makes a Gizmo a Gizmo?

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…What Makes a Gizmo a Gizmo?• Gizmos are designed as supplemental curriculum

materials.

• The content is correlated with national and state standards.

• Works easily with all major textbooks.

• Includes assessment and real-time reporting.

• Web-delivered and successful in many settings, e.g., instructor-led demonstrations, individual or group work in computer labs, library, or from home.

• Easy to use - requires no special training. All you need is an internet-ready computer and a projection device.

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The use of the word Gizmo to describe goes back to the

origins of ExploreLearning. Dr. Raman Pfaff first coined the term "gizmo" to describe

the new learning tool he created while he was a

graduate student in nuclear physics. When Dr. Pfaff

joined ExploreLearning Team (employee number 2), the

name Gizmos came with him and it stuck.

Not only does it sound fun, which the Gizmos are, but also

because it implies that the Gizmo is a piece in a larger

machine, if you will, the machine being the whole of the teaching and learning

process of which a Gizmo is one part.

Why Do They Call Them Gizmos?

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Sample gizmo: Growing Plants Sample gizmo: Growing Plants

•You can gather data, do calculations, view diagrams and take the screenshots….

Let’s see a Gizmo about “Growing Plants”…

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Gizmos are fun, easy to use, and flexible enough to support many different teaching styles and contexts:

Many computers (in a computer lab, or with a full set of laptops)

One computer (teacher-led investigation, using a projector)

Two-to-five computers in your classroom

Using Gizmos independently

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ExploreLearning won awards for…

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Gizmos: "Greatest Thing Since the Graphing Calculator"… I want you folks to know that, as a 25-year career high school math teacher, I find your Gizmos to be the greatest thing to happen to mathematics since the graphing calculator.

Janice DeLongInstructor of Education at the University of Maine at Presque Isle

source: http://blog.explorelearning.com/testimonials

Testimonials…

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Effective *and* Efficient on the Easternmost Tip of Canada

"...I used a Gizmo on rational functions in the classroom and the students loved it. It condensed my lesson by 20 minutes or more...I have a Master's of Education in Information Technology and I have always been keenly interested in learning objects.  Your "Gizmos" happen to be the BEST I have ever used."

Isadore Snook, a mathematics e-teacher at the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation in Newfoundland, Canada

source: http://blog.explorelearning.com/testimonials

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"A "Must-Have" App"

"... ExploreLearning is one of those rare "must-have" applications of computer technology for math classrooms. I am always on the lookout for new technologies which will boost our students' interest in and understanding of mathematics. The Gizmos of ExploreLearning provide such a tool, enabling students to inductively study both math and science. …From a technology standpoint, ExploreLearning is ideal: no software to install since it is web-based and features exceptionally easy management for teachers. From an educational standpoint, it is instructionally sound, motivating for students, and comes with lots of options for teachers including individual student accountability."

Joe Hill, the Directory of Math and Technology of Rockingham County Public Schools in Harrrisonburg, VA source: http://blog.explorelearning.com/testimonials

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Thousands of Schools are using ExploreLearning.com

This award-winning site is used by schools throughout the US and around the World.

Just few of them:

• Oklahoma Public School District, OK• St. Paul's Episcopal School, AL• Deerfield High School, IL • Abington High School, MA

• Western Albemarle High School, VA

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Why Gizmos Work: Research Evidence

Meta-analysis of educational research provides empirical evidence for the instructional effectiveness of ExploreLearning's Gizmos. Based on the summarized findings of over 100 educational research studies involving 4,000+ experimental/control group comparisons, a meta-analytical study (Marzano, 1998) identified several instructional techniques that have a strong positive impact on student achievement. ( Source: http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cCorp.dspResearch )

Click the button below to read the full study in PDF format: Why Gizmos Work: Empirical Evidence for the Instructional Effectiveness Of ExploreLearning's Interactive Content.

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…How much does it cost?From: Jeff Prevost

Hello Murtaza,

Thanks for requesting information about ExploreLearning! The types of licenses you asked about are outlined below, but, please note I'll need student enrollment numbers to give quotes for school site and district licenses. I'd be happy to introduce ExploreLearning to your school or district. Let me know if you have any questions, need a proposal or would like a presentation demo. ~ Jeff

Individual Teacher Accounts:

Teacher Plus Accounts are $599 (per teacher) for 12 months and allow student enrollment and interaction. Includes remote access.

ExploreLearning Licenses / School or District Math and science departments: provide number of students enrolled Math or science department: 500 student science license $2995.00.  500 student math and science license $3500.00

Professional Development:6 hour onsite PD implements ExploreLearning Gizmos in math and / or science classrooms and incorporates best practices such as inquiry based learning with features such as alignment with state standards and textbooks. Cost: $1,500 per day Includes travel and expenses, with seating for up to 20 teachers. Online Training:1 hour of online training: covers ExploreLearning site orientation, 2 - 3 Gizmos and features such as textbook and state standards alignment. Cost: $350 per hour, up to 10 teachers per session.

Jeffrey PrevostExploreLearningjprevost@explorelearning.com

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……So point your browser to So point your browser to ExploreLearning.com to see the Exciting ExploreLearning.com to see the Exciting

world of the GIZMOSworld of the GIZMOS!