Ramsey Resident - 1985 - July/August

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.~' When Anoka-Hennepin Dis- trict 11. elementary students return to school next fall they will begin work with a new mathematics program none that "will drastically enhance the teaching of mathematics," according to Roger Larson, mathematics consultant. The new series, published by Addison-Wesley, was se- lected' after much careful scrutiny by a committee of teachers, a9ministrators and parents. The committee spent months gathering information, listening to mathematics ex- perts and reviewing a dozen textbook series before recom- mending Addison-Wesley to the School Board April 25. Jim Fennick, principal of Monroe Elementary School New Mathematics Program and chairman of the mathe- matics committee, said he likes the series because it is very strong in computation. "That is essentially what our students do very well in now," he said. "This series will help us maintain that as well as pro- vide the new dimension of pro- blem solving." Larson noted that the strong problem solving emphasis in the new series set it apart from most other textbook series the committee reviewed. "Prob- lem solving is a strand we were looking for," said Larson. Both a survey of Anoka-Henne- pin mathemtics teachers and recommendations of the Na- tional Council of Teachers of Mathematics indicated a need for more emphasis on prob- lem-solving skills. Problem solving means more than "word problems," Larson stressed. "Most peo- ple equate problem solving with word prob.lems, but it's really much more than that. It is teaching strategies that students can use to solve problems in all areas of life. "For example, when your re- frigerator breaks down, you have a problem to solve. Can you afford to purchase a new refrigerator or should you repair the old one? At what point would it be more cost ef- fective to purchase a new one than to continue to repair an old one? How do you go about answering these questions? Problem solving skills are real- ly life skills." The new series also has comprehensive time, money and measurement compon- ents and it gives teachers more materials for handling specific situations. "There are reteaching materials for reme- diation plus lessons that offer enrichment for working with gifteq and talented students. Teachers will have more re- sources at their fingertips with this series than with anything they have had in the past," said Larson. "Another feature of the new program is a series of home activities so students can do math at home with mom and dad. 'For example, one activity might ask a student to deter- mine how much it would cost to recarpet a room in their house. The child would have to determine the area and the cost per yard with installation charges." Drill and practice computer software is included in the series as well as calculator and computer literacy units. All elementary teachers will attend special workshops to help familiarize them with the new series. Larson and Fennick ex- pressed appreciation to the committee members for their help in selecting the series. "I am very thankful for having parents and staff members who were really actively involv- ed in the selection process," said Larson. IN-TECH Receives Exemplary Rating J The IN-TECH Technology Demonstration Program devel- oped by Anoka-Hennepin School District No. 11 is one of only four model programs in the state to receive an "exem- plary" rating in the r,ecent evaluation conducted by the Minnesota Department 6fEdu- cation. IN-TECH is one of 15 model technology demonstration sites developed under grants from the Mir]nesota Legisla- ture to put technology to use in the classroom. The program is a coopera- tive venture with seven area school districts - Brooklyn Center, Centennial, Columbia Heights, Elk River, Fridley, St. Francis and Spring Lake Park - as well as Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka A VTI. . IN-TECH was designed to help teachers learn how to put technology to use in 'their teaching. It is based on a "trainer of trainers" model through which' staff with expertise in various facets of technology serve as teacher demonstrators, sharing their knowledge via demonstration videotapes. The program util- izes two technology labs, one at Fridley Middle School and one at Blaine High School, plus a mobile technology lab - the IN-TECH bus. I ~ I I I I I. I I \ I I The evaluators described the IN-TECH project as "an ex- cellent example of an in-ser- vice delivery model which uses the considerable exper- tise of existing staff and which is designed to be accessible and convenient." The projct re- ceived a "high" rating in all three categories - imple- mentation, transportability and potential for new know- ledge. Randy Johnson, instruction- al technology consultant for Anoka-Hennepin and one of the developers of the IN-TECH idea, was pleased with the state's assessment of IN- TECH. "Everyone involved is extremely pleased that the evaluation has recognized the IN-TECH program as one of the best," he said. "The pro- ject has demonstrated that we can create a broader aware- ness of technology for teach- ers and other school staff through the use of the mobile lab, demonstration teachers, and the two labs." Johnson noted that the State Department of Educa- . tion is recommending that additional mobile labs model- ed after IN-TECH's be develop- ed to serve other areas of the state, "If imitation is the most Sincere form of flattery, then the fact that a bill has been in- troduced in t~e Senate to de- The IN.TECH mobile technology lab is the most visible sign of the IN-TECH project. Abcard the bus, teachers can attend small in.service sessions, watch videotaped demonstrations of technology use or review computer software. A bill has been introduced in the legislature that would provide three additional mobile 4abs...modeled-alter.IN.:rECH's .. to serve .other. areas.of the-state. - - .. velop three more vans like ours is an indication of how ef- fective others belive our idea to be," said Johnson. "While we feel good about what we have done so far it's only a beginning. We spent a lot of time getting ready, now we are really underway." But to continue the program to the extent which Johnson believes is needed will require additio....al funding. Cooperat- ing sC'1ool districts plus an equipment grant from IBM supplemented the original $125,120 state grant for IN- TECH, bringing the total 1984-85 funding to $299,240. Johnson is optimistic that the state will provide addi" tional money to the top ranked technology demonstration sites. "The program evaluation report made a recommenda- tion for further funding," he said. The evaluation report rec- ommends that the four high- est ranked projects be con- tinued because each has. "enormous potential for pro- ducing new knowledge about the effects of computer-assist- ed instruction, the effects of interactive televised instruc- tion, strategies for promoting change in school districts', and strategies and-methods for in- service instruction. "The Governor's recommen- dation, Sllpporteo by ttle Slale Department of Education and the Senate, is to continue fun- ding for the program." INTRODUCING A BOND A YOU CAN DRIVE ON TBE GRASS! NOW $199500 Reg. $2398.00 HT3810 10 hp Front Engine Lawn Tractor Model HT3810 HT3813 HRS 21 PVA HRS 21 SA HRA 214SXA Description 38" 10 hp Lawn Tractor 38" 13 hp Lawn Tractor, 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled 21" 3.5 hp Push Mower Discharge Chute 21" 3.5 hp Self Propelled, Side Discharge, Grass Bag 21" 4 hp, 2 Speed Self Propelled, Rear Bag, Rota Stop ~ Power ~ IT'S A. HONDA. 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