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 Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks Program Overview Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Math Navigator: 8th Grade Benchmarks Interactive program offers practice on the FCAT-tested benchmarks Reinforces math problem-solving skills 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 Navigator: Middle 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 math 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 Navigator: Middle 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 Experienced as FCAT Coach and/or Reading Coach Masters Degrees Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice FCAT-like practice on all 5 tested strands Algebra Geometry Statistics FCAT-like practice on all tested benchmarks 146 FCAT-like practice items: 104 Multiple Choice (MC) 30 Gridded-Response (GR) 12 Short-Response (SR) Multiple-choice question Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice Number of items per benchmark based on teacher recommendation: Difficulty of benchmark Difficulty for “struggling” students Same style, format, scope & cognitive level as on the FCAT Reviewed by teachers for interest & difficulty Gridded-response question Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice Item topics drawn from other subject area standards Science Social Studies The Arts Health Education Physical Education Motivating graphics reinforce math concept, important ideas in the subject matter, or both Every item presented in real-life problem-solving context Social Studies topic: Algebra Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

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

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEM EXAMPLES 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” Example from Algebra Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice GRIDDED-RESPONSE ITEM EXAMPLES 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 Example from Geometry Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics FCAT-like Practice SHORT-RESPONSE Short-response items: Compare two responses & select the high score Simulation strategies recommended by teachers Based on classroom instructional practices Requires student to compare or assess critical attributes Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

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

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle 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 Navigator: Middle 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   Click MORE HINTS to see additional Hints for Success Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Instructional Support 2nd ATTEMPT For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms & reinforces accurate skill application CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems For INCORRECT answer, the CAE: 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 Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Special Features Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Helpful Tools GLOSSARY Click “ear” icon to hear word pronounced Spelling Definition Illustration, as appropriate Math terms & formulas included Math teachers selected the words and reviewed the definitions Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle 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 Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Special Features CHALLENGE LIST Links directly to items answered incorrectly Helps students focus on skill improvement Displays corresponding strand Requires a 24-hour delay to ensure skill application, not “copying” the correct answer Strand Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Motivational Feature ENGAGING INTERFACE Student chooses freely among 3 Explorations Within each Exploration, student chooses among 3 Themes Within each Theme, student selects a “Trip” Sense of exploration engages curiosity Student control increases motivation 3 Explorations 3 Themes per Exploration 3 Trips per Theme, containing 5-10 items per Trip Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

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

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

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Educators’ Tools Curriculum resources Classroom Teacher’s Desk Item Review provides a printable version of all Math Navigator 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 Navigator: Middle School Mathematics Student Performance Reports At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk Check progress on individuals or classes View math data by Theme or Body of Knowledge 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 Navigator: Middle 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 Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0 Provides Everyday Activities to help parents reinforce Benchmarks and Skills Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Math Navigator: Middle 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 PowerPoints 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 Navigator: Middle 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 Navigator: Middle School Mathematics To get sign-in names & passwords School Principals: Contact your District Office and speak to the “District Administrator” for the FCAT Explorer Teachers: Contact your “School Administrator” for the FCAT Explorer FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com) Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

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