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SRI International Leads Evaluation of Interactive Math and Reading Games in Oklahoma Title One Schools; SRI to Lead ''Star Schools'' Evaluation Program

Posted on: Monday, 15 May 2006, 09:02 CDT

SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research and development organization, today announced its selection to evaluate new educational games and simulations for use in targeted 8th- and 9th-grade mathematics, language arts, and science classes. Approximately 2,700 Oklahoma students, predominantly from Title I "Star Schools," will participate. Star Schools are schools that receive federal funding for technology innovation programs that support learning. The University of Oklahoma is developing the educational games and simulations. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust (OETT).

SRI's Center for Technology in Learning will lead an evaluation team that will use a study design incorporating random assignment of schools to treatment and control conditions. SRI will partner with the University of Oklahoma's K20 Center and Putnam City and Shawnee school districts. The K20 Center will design virtual reality online games that are linked to handheld devices that students can take home to continue their work.

In addition, the K20 Center will design and present an innovative teacher professional development program. Using a "backwards design" evaluation strategy, SRI's Center will help the University of Oklahoma lesson and game designers align their activities with assessments of the higher-level reasoning skills students use in algebra and reading. These are "gateway" skills that can enhance student success in high school. Nearly 25 percent of Oklahoma students drop out of high school.

"The focus of these games and simulations will be on improving the high-need mathematics and reading skills where many secondary Oklahoma students are failing," said Louise Yarnall, research social scientist, SRI Center for Technology in Learning. "The program will be implemented in middle schools and high schools to help teachers use technology to improve instruction."

Participating teachers will learn to incorporate the handheld technology into their classes through a unique Japanese-style "lesson study" model of professional development. In this model, teachers within a department collaboratively perfect specific lesson units through an iterative process of design, observation, critique, and revision.

Schools participating in the Star School evaluation program have the opportunity to get the latest technology and work with professional development experts to improve teaching and learning in mathematics, science, foreign languages, and other subjects. These programs serve underserved populations, including disadvantaged, non-reading, and limited English proficient populations and individuals with disabilities.

The evaluations will be part of a three-year, $4.24 million grant awarded to the University of Oklahoma by the U.S. Department of Education. The first year of the project is funded through an award of $2.08 million from federal sources and $694,617 from funds and in-kind services provided through the University of Oklahoma, amounting to a 75 percent cost-sharing arrangement.

Additional information can be found at: http://ctl.sri.com/projects/displayProject.jsp?Nick=oklastar

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs client-sponsored research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.

Source: Business Wire

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