Supermath’s Unique Use of Software

• Software used in a new and more effective way for developing thinking skills
• Software and classroom teaching interact in a unique and synergistic fashion
• Uses interactive software to increase student engagement

Traditionally software is used to present math and then test/reward students.

The alternate Supermath approach to using software:

• Software presents adventurous contexts
• Classroom instruction introduces math concepts needed for mastering the context
• Teachers capitalize on student interest to teach and coach

SuperMath Approach

• Software presents adventurous captivating contexts
• Classroom instruction introduces math concepts needed to master the adventure
• Teachers build on students’ curiosity and motivation, and coach as much as teach

The detailed Supermath curriculum contains daily lessons with:

• Directions on how to set students’ computers
• Key questions to ask
• How to bring in the relevant math objectives
• Brainstorm and homework problems
• Teacher solutions to all problems and questions
• Teaching, coaching, and questioning tips

Advantages of the SuperMath Approach

• Software easy to learn and use and inexpensive
• Deepens the mathematical understanding of all students while increasing their interest in math
• Increases in skill development and test performance, especially in problem-solving and justifying
• Integrates development of multiple math skills
• Makes the teaching and learning of math more authentic by providing real-life situations
• Students come to view math as a relevant and critical tool
• Easy to align with state standards and integrate into school curriculum
• Mirrors how adults use math in the real world, i.e., to resolve dilemmas they face

SuperMath Results

A result of the unique approach to Supermath’s use of software, neither the software or the classroom curriculum stand on their own.

They need to be examined interactively.

While it is easy to conduct such an interactive review once you have had an in-person demonstration or brief training, it is difficult to understand the full interactive creativity and power of a given unit’s software and curriculum without any introduction.

Therefore, it is recommended that you initially review this Powerpoint demo of the 4 sample Supermath units (which automatically starts after the next slide) ----rather than the actual units themselves.

Reviewing Demos of the Sample Units

Reviewing the demos of the sample units will enable you to see:

• Examples of the software simulation contexts
• The naturalness and creativity of using software to provide contexts that create the need and desire to apply math skills
• How the curriculum turns the simulation experience into math learning and understanding, and supports the role of the teacher

Research has shown that using software to create contexts produces greater learning than using software to directly present content.