Other E-mail Based Programs

Contact: Phone, general: 410-516-4759

Fax: 410-516-0200

e-mail: DLP@jhu.edu

Address: Center for Distance Education -- Math Tutorials/IAAY, The Johns Hopkins University

3400 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218-2699

Web Site: http://www.jhu.edu/gifted/math/

Type: Resource for subject knowledge

Project Description: The DLP courses, which feature a K-8 mathematics sequence divided into five fundamental content areas, require students to complete off-line homework in addition to computer-guided lessons. Students must also maintain contact with their tutors via e-mail and telephone, providing a forum in which students can discuss mathematics. Students are expected to regularly send e-mail reports to their tutors, at least once a week. These reports are used by the tutor to assess progress and to isolate any difficulties that the student may be having. Tutors are subject area specialists trained to provide instructional and technical assistance who ensure that students get feedback on their work.

Contact: Judy Ann Brown

e-mail: judyann@forum.swarthmore.edu

Web Site: http://mathforum.org/ruth/elem.pow.html

Type: Weekly Math Problems with Expert Feedback

Project Description: The Elementary Problem of the Week program, which has just completed its second year, posts weekly non-routine math problems to challenge 3rd-6th grade students and to encourage them to verbalize their solutions. Students may participate as part of a classroom activity, weekly school assignment, or through independent interest. Participating students submit their solutions which are reviewed by a Visiting Math Mentor. Students who correctly answer the challenge are recognized on the program's website, and the most creative solutions are highlighted. "Visiting Math Mentors" volunteer for one or more weeks by replying to all the solutions submitted by elementary students for a given problem. As problem-solving mentors, they enhance their ability to develop assessment criteria and increase their own problem- solving skills, while helping elementary students discover the joys of solving challenging problems. Mentors may include classes of elementary school students; high school students; pre-service teachers; teachers; college professors; and anyone else with the love of problem solving and a willingness to share it with others.

Contact: Annie Fetter

e-mail: annie@forum.swarthmore.edu

Web Site: http://mathforum.com/geopow/

Type: Weekly Math Problems with Expert Feedback

Project Description: The Geometry Problem of the Week website posts weekly geometry problems to which students can submit a solution by e-mail. Students who submit solutions during the week receive feedback and pointers to improve or correct their solutions, and can resubmit them. Students can submit solutions individually or in pairs. For a given week's problem, one professional volunteer from The Math Forum responds to all the submitted solutions. The website also features a searchable archive including past problems and solutions.

Contact: Nelda Peace

Phone: 228-688-7302

e-mail: nelda.peace@ssc.nasa.gov

Web Site: http://www.globe.gov

Type: Interactive access to databases

Project Description: The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is a worldwide network of students, teachers and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. GLOBE students make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data via the Internet. Observations include measuring air temperature, precipitation, water temperature and pH and other important environmental parameters. Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback to the students to enrich their science and mathematics education. Each day, images created from the GLOBE student data sets are posted on the World Wide Web, allowing students and visitors to the GLOBE website to view the student environmental observations. Presently, more than 4,000 schools in over 55 countries are participating in the GLOBE Program. GLOBE students have reported over 600,000 scientific observations in the areas of atmosphere, hydrology, landcover/geology, and soils. These data are used by GLOBE students and scientists to support environmental research while helping students reach higher levels of achievement in science and mathematics.

Contact: Hugh Anderson, Principal Investigator at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

Phone: 425-482-3310

e-mail: hugh@nw.saic.com

Web Site: http://www.athena.ivv.nasa.gov/

Type: Interactive access to databases featuring a questions/answer function

Project Description: Project Athena engages students in observing phenomena using remote-sensed data from around the world. The materials include data sets with appropriate explanations, student activities, and teacher background information delivered to classrooms via pages on the World Wide Web. Data sets and instructional pieces are related to oceans, the atmosphere, Earth resources, and space/astronomy. Real-time data is used where possible. The material is intended for direct use by students with appropriate assistance from teachers. Pilot classes are supported with on-site visits and via e-mail. The project, begun in September 1994, reaches out to approximately 25-30 classrooms, primarily at the middle school (5th - 8th grade) level. A question and answer function through which questions can be sent to and answered by someone at SAIC via e-mail is a component of this project.

-###-

[ Question and Answer E-mail Based Programs ] [ Appendix A ]