Download a PDF copy of the FAQ here.
How do I get started?
Go to www.enableMATH360.com REGISTER - it's free - explore the content as students see it. Click on the Webinars link on the home page to explore the six FOUNDATIONS webinars that cover the "nuts and bolts" of getting started as a teacher using the program, and the 12 TEACHING FOR MASTERY webinars on best practices using enableMATH360. The webinars are by Dr. George Blakeslee, Lesley University.
How do I join the free Pilot to enroll students, make assignment, create tests & monitor progress?
When you are ready to commit to the six free staff development FOUNDATION webinars and to providing us feedback to improve the program, send an email requesting a teacher account to: lreeves@enablearning.com
How many classes and how many students may I enroll?
You may create as many classes and enroll as many students as you wish to manage.
What are the technical requirements for eM360?
- Macintosh w/ OSX; or Windows; 512 mBytes RAM (Vista: 1 gBytes RAM)
- Broadband internet connection
- Internet Explorer for the PC and Safari on the Mac are strongly preferred. Chrome is also supported. Firefox on Macintosh works but has some Java issues and is not recommended on Macs.
- Pop-ups must be ENABLED
- Java v 1.5 (or later) installed and enabled.
- Headphones or loudspeaker (for the Audio Guide and EXAMPLES).
- Click "System Test" on the eM360 landing page to audit for compatibility.
Reading level of eM360, apart from the mathematics vocabulary, is grade 3.
Where is the instructional component of eM360?
- the STUDENT GUIDE provides direct text instruction.
- the one-step-at-a-time, walk-though EXAMPLEs provide written and audio-narrated direct instruction on how to solve each type of problem. The WHAT-IF control slider below each example invites student exploration of the math concept by changing variables and seeing the result. Students are encouraged to predict what will happen if a variable changes and then seeing what does happen - highly attractive learning by investigation;
- he VISUAL section provides graphic presentation of the math concept, and when appropriate, has the WHAT-IF control slider for leaning by investigation.
- the GLOSSARY defines math terms and frequently is accompanied by an interactive graphic for learning by investigation.
When must I pay for using enableMATH360?
Use is free for pilot teachers enrolling now for this coming school year. Pricing for new users will be established in 2010. The goal is to have eM360 very affordable for the widest possible adoption.
Can my students use eM360 at home?
Yes, if their home computers meet the technical requirements (above.)
What textbook is best correlated to eM360?
The content of eM360 matches most if not all existing textbooks. The program is not paired with any specific text. eM360 content encompasses the entire basal curriculum.
Where can I get a detailed scope and sequence for eM360?
A detailed scope and sequence spreadsheet is available for download on the eM360 landing page.
Is eM360 correlated to standards?
Yes. This program is correlated to national standards.
How comprehensive is eM360?
The content of eM360 starts with single-digit arithmetic and continues through algebra-II. There are 266 assignments and over 30,000 problems, as follows:
Grades 3 - 6; 119 Assignments in these 6 topics:
Fractions
Decimals
Measurement & Geometry
Ratio & Proportion
Graphs, Data Sets, & Probability
Pre-Algebra & Algebra; 161 Assignments in these 10 topics:
Solving Linear Equations
Graphing Linear Equations
Solving Systems of Equations
Polynomials
Factoring
Rational Expressions & Equations
Exponents & Radicals
Quadratic Equations
Introduction to Functions
What does eM360 do for students?
eM360 provides every student, no matter what kind of "intelligence" they may have, with the opportunity to learn the math needed to master algebra by:
- Providing Productive Practice to Mastery customized to each student, because practice is essential for mathematical fluency.
- Focusing on Visual Understanding for all students because math is a visual language and many students have difficulty with it because they are visual learners and need to see it.
- Preventing failure because failure starts early and most students need early intervention before success becomes too difficult to attain.
What does eM360 do for teachers?
eM360 provides teachers with a one-stop solution to the three key math questions that every K-8 teacher faces.
- How do I provide customized RTI work to bring my below average students to grade level proficiency on state standards?
- How do I provide customized practice for my average students to build their fluency while I use a program like Connected Math or TERC Math to build their flexibility in problem solving
- How do I provide advanced content for my above average students whose parents are demanding that I customize my classroom and support algebra
What does eM360 do for administrators?
eM360 enables administrators to ensure that every teacher is fully supporting student practice as the key to math fluency and a common foundation for all students by:
- Giving administrators weekly performance feedback by class and by student of the practice to mastery done.
- Ensuring that the full range of appropriate materials is available to every teacher to support math learning for every student.
- Providing a program that can easily add staff development and afterschool learning support as needed, fully integrated with the regular school program.
I am a 5th grade teacher. Which of these topics and assignments do I use?
All teachers have access to all topics and all assignments. The curriculum for grades 3 to 6 is chunked for convenience into typical, grade-level sections. Students needing lower- (or higher-) level work may be assigned topics at their comfort level.
How do I know where to place my students in the program?
The observed present performance of your students is your best guide. We strongly recommend initial placement below a challenge level. We want all students to experience success from day one. Better to start somewhat lower and easier than to begin with a challenge.
Those using DOMA (Diagnostic Online Mathematics Assessment from Lets Go Learn) will see an immediate correlation of diagnosed math achievement and relevant assignments in eM360.
Eventually there will be specific DOMA recommendations for student placement in eM360.
How do I monitor student achievement?
eM360 provides extensive reports on student progress. Also weekly email progress reports to teachers and students (when email addresses are supplied).
What are the staff development webinars for eM360?
Dr. George Blakeslee, Leslie University, Cambridge, MA, has six FOUNDATION Webinars, accessed from the eM360 landing page, that provide eM360 basics. The following TEACHING FOR MASTERY webinars series sites interesting problems in learning theory, national standards, and the tools and techniques of eM360, focusing on best practices in math instruction, learning theory, and math standards.
What are the Best Practices you are suggesting?
Dr. George Blakeslee's webinars will cover this topic extensively and in detail,
covering the four Foundations of Teaching for Mastery. These are:
- Guided Practice (including how eM360 supports your classroom routines, classwork, homework, response systems, smartboards, clubs, etc.),
- Concept Visualization (including how eM360 supports your classroom demonstrations, manipulatives, charts/graphs/pictures, whiteboards, animation/video, problem solving strategies, simulations, etc.),
- Assessment and Intervention (including how eM360 supports your classroom standards, rubrics, tests, observations, student and class profiles, individual/small group/peer assistance, learning centers, referrals, etc.), and
- Communication (including how eM360 supports your classroom feedback, individual and class performance reports, gradebooks, newsletters, email, phone and on-site parent conferences, team learning, presentations, portfolios, blogs, polls and surveys, etc.).
Can I get CEUs or graduate credits by attending the TEACHING FOR MASTERY webinars?
Not at this time.
As a Pilot teacher am I required to attend these online Webinars?
The initial six FOUNDATION webinars are required for initial user training. The best practices in TEACHING FOR MASTERY series open new and exciting avenues for achieving greater student success in math, while liberating you from time-consuming, ineffective "paper-grading," creating more time to focus efficiently on differentiating instruction where it is most needed.
How much time should my students spend on eM360?
The amount of time will depend on the needs of the student and available resources. Students typically complete most assignments in 12 to 15 minutes "on task." All will benefit from as little as 20 contact minutes per day. Some students will be motivated by their evident success and enjoyment from achieving "mastery" on assignments and will want to spend more time, perhaps at home. Home use of eM360 is encouraged.
I simply don't have enough time for this program. How can I manage it with all the other things I need to do?
Since eM360 will be providing intensive math instruction and practice, you will do less direct math teaching, spending more time guiding students toward the most beneficial assignments and practice. If you embrace team learning, and learning by students working together including peer-teaching, you may achieve exceptional progress without spending extensive time. Teaching by guidance is typically less time-consuming than providing direct instruction one-on-one.
How am I going to uncover all the features and benefits of eM360?
The weekly webinars will cover all features and benefits over the next several months. As a Pilot Teacher you will be invited to join a private eM360 Yahoo! Group that will share additional good ideas, such as the use of whiteboards, team learning, etc.
How do I group students for assignments?
Many teachers experience success placing students with a range of abilities within the same learning group, asking the more able students to coach their peers - both benefit: While the more advanced students may also be working independently on more challenging assignments beyond the level of the group they are mentoring. Groups of 2, 3, 4, and 5 students seem to work bests. Groups of 3 and 5 have proven to work well.
One method is the following four-step, Pose, Think, Discuss, Share technique:
- The teacher poses a question or an issue to the teams. (Or to the entire class if using a white-board projector.)
- Students are given time to think about the question (in pairs)
- Students discuss their thoughts with their partner
- Each pair shares its thoughts with another pair, or with the whole class.
Paired-discussion and group sharing are oral-language activities that heighten cognitive awareness (learning the content): "the one talking, does the learning" -- Lev Vygotsky; THOUGHT AND LANGUAGE, 1934; Seneca the Younger: docendo discimus: L. "by teaching we are learning." ca. 54 BC - ca. 39 AD; letters to Lucilius: epistulae morales 1, 7, 8)