FAST-TRACK AWARD:
Phase I Amount: $150,000
Phase I Period: 6 months

Phase II Amount: $900,000
Phase II Period: 2 years

Product Video Demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEQ6ej5kJ2c

Purpose: To be qualified to teach their future students in math, preservice students need to gain specialized mathematics content and pedagogical knowledge. The purpose of this project is to develop a web-based game to strengthen preservice teachers' knowledge of mathematics and provide college instructors with accurate assessments of their students' mathematical understanding.

Project Activities: The team will create prototype math games by assembling curricular content, developing a comprehensive design document (including storyboards, wireframes, and technical specifications for all components), and by creating the necessary graphics and multimedia assets. Iterative refinements will be conducted as needed at major production milestones. To assess the implementation feasibility, usability of the technology, and the promise of the games to improve learning, researchers will conduct a mixed-methods study comparing 50 preservice students who use the games for a semester to supplement regular coursework with a group of 50 preservice teachers who do not use the games. Qualitative data will also be collected from preservice teachers and instructors via questionnaires. Key outcomes will include ease of use, engagement, and test scores.

Product: PlatinuMath will include a series of narrative based mini-games to improve mathematical understanding among preservice teachers. The games will cover 24 standards-relevant topics and will supplement any preservice curriculum or training course. Additional components of the games will include content that will adjust to the level of a user, an interface dashboard and reporting feature that will present results to preservice teachers and their instructors, and a backend database to house all records.