Wayang Outpost is a web-based tutoring system for middle and high-school mathematics, with a specific emphasis on preparation for high-stakes achievement tests such as the SAT-Math exam, and state-based standardized tests such as the MCAS in Massachusetts and the CA-Star test in California. Students complete brief assessments of math achievement, and mathematics motivation. They then receive multimedia tutoring on practice test items, and can choose to receive rich multimedia-based explanations. The program is intended for both school and home use, and is available free of charge.
Evaluation studies indicate that, after working with the system, students improve in proportion to the time they spend working with the software. Students improve 20% on average on the integrated pre- and post-tests of math proficiency, with 2-3 hours of tutoring software use. This improvement is greatest for students with the weakest math skills. Controlled evaluations over three years have shown consistently better grades in MCAS after using Wayang, compared to control groups. Last, the software can detect when students become disengaged , and using animated "study partners" and easily accessible help features inspires renewed interest, showing them their learning progress and giving them tips about good study habits.
The Wayang Outpost tutoring system includes "virtual adventures" that embed math problem solving in animated narratives about environmental scientists in an imaginary research station in Indonesia. Students interact with virtual role model characters based on real scientists and researchers who use math in their field work. To help students identify with these scientists, the animations show both male and female professionals from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Read more details under Research: Machine Learning, Emotional Intelligence, and Gender & Math.
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