2013 Debate Club Kick-Off

Supporters of the Debate Club have suggested that we provide a closer view of what it is like to be an active member.  Last night we kicked-off the 2013 season for beginning debaters.  The following is a summary of the session.

After exchanging greetings and welcoming new members, Prof Colburn began by relating portions of the heritage we enjoy from the life and speeches of Martin Luther King Jr..  Dr. King was a tireless worker for many things but three of those particularly relate to educational debate. 

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0 comments - Posted by Jim O'Reilley at 12:09 PM - Categories: Virtual Math Club

Update on Math Club

In the Spring of 2011 iGifted School launched our first initiative, a virtual Math Club.  In our Beta Test we had Gifted and Talented students from three different school systems.  Using Probability Theory, they planned and executed a virtual trip to another planet (iGifted Planet).  At the conclusion of the Beta Test students were encouraged to complete an individual research project, and the projects were submitted to volunteers from SpaceX.  By any measurement the efforts of the students was a success.  100% rave reviews from parents and students and a test measured increase in knowledge of Probability of 35% (pre and post test).

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0 comments - Posted by Jim O'Reilley at 7:22 AM - Categories: Virtual Math Club

Dr. Maria Droujkova, Education Advisory Board

Maria Droujkova is a 21st Century global Math academic who is on the forefront of blending math education and new technology. She has been on the faculty of N.C. State University and the Shodor Education Foundation. She has also founded several Math groups including Natural Math, and is a curriculum developer at Wild Brain Entertainment. Maria has written and presented numerous Math 2.0 papers at global academic meetings where she is often a group leader. She earned her Ph.D from N.C. State University in Math Education, her M.S. in Applied Math from Tulane University and her Diploma in Math from Moscow State University in Russia.

0 comments - Posted by Jim O'Reilley at 10:57 AM - Categories: Virtual Math Club

Initial Beta Test Results

The initial Beta Test showed significant results.  The most important is that 100% pf the parents and students participating in our Focus Groups said that they would recommend the Math Club to their friends.  In addition the data shows an increase in knowledge about Probability Theory of 35% in the first eight weeks of participation (based upon pre and post average results vs. initial baseline testing.)

0 comments - Posted by Jim O'Reilley at 7:54 AM - Categories: Virtual Math Club

Comments From Parents, Phase 1

In interviews, parents are telling us that students are saying:

"This is so cool!"

"May I eat dinner at the PC so I can enter the Chat?"

"I wish all my courses were like this"

0 comments - Posted by Jim O'Reilley at 11:47 AM - Categories: Virtual Math Club

Method of Math Education Used

Math is primarily a logical Science. Students, who fit into the realm of logical/ mathematical learners, do well in any math program, but a student with gifts in the creative or visual/ spatial areas may have a more difficult time with some components of mathematics. 

The focus of iGifted School is to provide a program to meet the needs of all styles of gifted learners, so that they will learn and understand mathematics in their area of strength, yet also be exposed to math concepts in the less dominant areas, as well. 

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0 comments - Posted by Birgit Pauli-Haack at 8:05 PM - Categories: Methodologies | On Gifted Eduation | Virtual Math Club