Overview of the FCAT Explorer Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Program Overview Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Math Timeline: High School Benchmarks Interactive program offers practice on all benchmarks tested on the high school math FCAT Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Fidelity with the Official FCAT Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications Rigorous item development process Items drafted by reading teachers and professional item writers Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Input from Exemplary Education Professionals Highly-qualified classroom teachers Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level National Board Certified Recipients of Teacher of the Year awards Presidential Award Winners Experienced FCAT Coach Masters Degrees TEACHER PIC HERE YO! Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice FCAT-like practice on all assessed benchmarks 320 FCAT-like practice items: 266 Multiple Choice 54 Gridded-Response Two-page multiple-choice item Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice Topics drawn from other subject areas standards Geography Science Social Studies The Arts Health Education Physical Education Engaging graphics reinforce math concept, important ideas in the subject matter, or both Every item presented in real-life problem-solving context Science Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Instructional Support Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Instructional Support 1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT Congratulations! Correct Answer Explanation (CAE) Confirms the elements that make an answer correct Reinforces effective skill application CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Instructional Support 1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT Hints for Success to clarify the question without giving away the answer “Common error” feedback written specifically to correct common mistakes Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly   Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Instructional Support 2nd ATTEMPT For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms & reinforces accurate skill application For INCORRECT answer, the CAE: CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems Identifies correct answer Helps student solve similar problems in the future Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Practice Items Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice Items GRIDDED-RESPONSE ITEM EXAMPLE Students make calculations on paper, as needed Type number, slash, or decimal point into the grid and bubble fills in automatically Fractions not accepted until reduced to simplest form Program demonstrates how to fill in corresponding bubbles correctly Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice Items MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEM EXAMPLE Same formatting details as used for test items on the FCAT 2.0 Same mathematical notation conventions as used on the FCAT 2.0 When possible, incorrect answer choices represent “common errors” Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Special Features Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Motivational Features ENGAGING INTERFACE Student chooses freely among 5 Time Periods Within each Time Period, student chooses among 4 Themes After selecting a Theme, student begins working practice items Sense of exploration engages curiosity Student control increases motivation Time Periods Student clicks Start to begin practicing Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Motivational Features Optional Navigation by Strand Student selects a subject Student sees list of all items ranked from easiest to hardest. Same historically rich context for each item Student control increases motivation Student clicks an item to begin practicing Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Motivational Features DETAILED ILLUSTRATIONS Reinforce important concepts and information Help pique curiosity Help maintain attention & endurance Help students perceive math as interesting and relevant Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools CHALLENGE LIST Links directly to items answered incorrectly Helps students focus on skill improvement Displays corresponding strand Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools REMEDIAL LESSONS Math Machine Offers five interactive lessons in Geometry and Spatial Sense Includes review of basic geometry concepts and vocabulary Offers increasingly difficult multiple choice practice items with detailed feedback Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools REMEDIAL LESSONS Math Machine Provides real-world context for math concepts Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools REMEDIAL LESSONS Math Machine Reviews vocabulary relevant to the benchmark Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools REMEDIAL LESSONS Math Machine Features interactive activities to reinforce concepts Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools REMEDIAL LESSONS Math Machine Provides practice multiple choice questions Results can be accessed from the Teacher’s Desk Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools GLOSSARY Click “ear” icon to hear word pronounced Spelling and definition Illustration, as appropriate Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Helpful Tools REFERENCE SHEET & CALCULATOR Online formula reference sheet with same content as on the FCAT 2.0 Online calculator with same functions as on the FCAT 2.0 Reference Sheet Calculator Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Educators’ Tools Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Educators’ Tools Curriculum resources Classroom Teacher’s Desk Item Review provides a printable version of all Math Timeline items Letter to Parents School Administrator’s Desk Information management tools Sign-in names and passwords Progress Reports Messages to students District Administrator’s Desk Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Student Performance Reports At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk Check progress on individuals or classes View math data by Theme, Strand, or Benchmark Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics The Parent & Family Guide Accessible from the home page without a password Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0 Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Visit the Educator Resources Page Linked from the home page Download this PowerPoint presentation Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual Download other presentations Reading Focus Overview Math Focus Overview Program-specific presentations Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics Toll-Free Help Desk Accessible from the home page without a password 1-888-750-FCAT 1-888-750-3228 Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics To get sign-in names & passwords SCHOOL PRINCIPALS Contact your district office and speak to the FCAT Explorer “district administrator” TEACHERS Contact your FCAT Explorer “school administrator” FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com) Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Timeline: High School Mathematics www.fcatexplorer.com Log on to the FCAT Explorer! Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001