The Rice University School Mathematics Project (RUSMP) recently offered a course for Houston Independent School District elementary teachers on integrating mathematics and literacy through an interactive digital media platform, Articulate Storyline.
Mahtob Aqazade, an RUSMP postdoctoral researcher, demonstrated how problem posing can be used to solve mathematical problems by using real-world situations and children’s literature. Teachers commented that the problem-posing approach was ideal, as it included the basic components to develop vocabulary, context, purpose and important information for solving all types of problems.
Aqazade demonstrated the use of Articulate Storyline to develop interactive resources for teachers to use with students to explore problem-solving situations. Articulate Storyline does not require an understanding of programming but instead provides ready-to-use templates, triggers, buttons, animations and other features similar to those of PowerPoint.
Teachers then created their own stories to spark students’ interest in solving problems. They created different problems with varying degrees of difficulty to challenge students of all levels and abilities.
For her doctoral dissertation, Aqazade designed alternate versions of an interactive mathematics storybook in which she emphasized visual supports, language supports, or a mix of both and used them to explore students’ learning processes. All students benefited from interacting with the book, but those who read the interactive language support version of the book were more successful.
One teacher said, “Articulate Storyline may be used in all content areas to develop interactive problem-solving situations for English language learners.”
— Carolyn White
Director
Rice University School Mathematics Project