Keidi Boatfield

CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology

Cognitive Science Applied to Technology
I would like to state that this was one of the most frustrating assignments throughout our entire
program thus far. I am going to vent about the issues that I have faced with this program prior to completing
the actual assignment requirements in my chart below. The first issue I had with the Cognitive Tutor from
Carnegie Mellon University is that there was no quick software trial. Once I asked for permission to view the
starter kit/program almost 48 hours had gone by, and then when I was given the opportunity to view the
Cognitive Tutor, it was organized through a group email from a Sales Rep from the company to establish a
face-to-face overview instead of an on-line individual trial. Furthermore, once we did receive the link to try out
the program, it is very limited. I was only able to see a students view and never had an opportunity to locate or
find a link that would allow me to view the program from a teachers point of view. Misty, if it werent for the
PDF that you uploaded, I would have no clue to the reports that the program generates as well.
I was able to complete some sample web-based computer games/tutorials, which I found very
frustrating too since I was only given access to Discover MATHia X. The programs rocket into knowledge was
very dated and the modules/workspaces were slow to upload, which only added to my angst. The game
tutorials seemed to go on forever instead of quickly getting to mastery.some of my frustration also stems from
my English and not Math background, but I wouldnt even put my own children on this program since there
never seemed to be an end in sight. I understand they were trying to get to mastery of skills, but if I wanted to
quit the program, I can only imagine how my students would feel. In addition, when I tried--at home--at
work--and at Panera-- to download the actual web-based software, Chrome blocks the upload and when I tried
with Internet Explorer, I had to update the Java program and its still was not working---so I have given up!
Finally, in chapter 2 of Breakthrough Leadership it states that Neurosciences studies the interaction of
neurons--the basic building block of the nervous system and how they work together...and that there is no
practical reason of learning engineers to study neuroscience literature (pgs. 33-34), and since the program was
created by neuroscientists from Carnegie Mellon University, I question if we should be taking this program
seriously anyways?
The 7 Key
Elements of
Learning?
Chap. 2 & 3 Notes

1. Objectives =
come 1st; what we
want students to
learn to do; need to
be concrete so know
when they have
been mastered;
focused on present
not distant future;
challenging to
maximize learning;
clarify the purpose
of the learning;
provide motivation

Based on the
reading and my
experiences, how
can technology help?

Discover MATHia X
By C
arnegie Mellon
University

Chap. 2 & 3 Notes

Technology can assist

with the shift from seat
time to a
competency-based
learning to ensure all
students have the time
they need to master
objectives.
Technology can allow
accelerated learners to
master objectives more
rapidly.

Similarities/Differences
between MATHia X
and
MathXL

Blend of both textbook

and online learning

Blend of both textbook

and online learning

Lists a glossary of key

terms and/or vocabulary to
know for each section

Lists a glossary of key

terms and/or vocabulary to
know for each section

Each chapter, section or

unit has objectives and
focus of CCSS

Each chapter, section or

unit has objectives and
focus of CCSS

Each section title has

some type of catchy phrase
to spark students curiosity

Text very colorful and

21st Century in appearance

Keidi Boatfield
CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology
Cognitive Science Applied to Technology
through value and
lend structure to
what is being
taught.

I shifted my gradebook
to reflect standards and
skills to be mastered,
not just content which
allowed students
flexibility to master
skills at their own pace.

Text only offers on bland

blue color that is very
monotonous

2. Assessments =
gauge current
expertise for a given
objective; work with
tapping into both
procedural and
conceptual
knowledge; be
tightly coupled to
the objective to
measure intended
knowledge or skill.

Technology can make it

vastly easier for
teachers to check the
data on assessments, to
share well-constructed
items and assessments.

Has pre/post and

mid/end chapter tests to
use to customize and
individualize instruction

Has pre/post and

mid/end chapter tests to
use to customize and
individualize instruction

Online and paper tests

available

Pretest data is used to

determine module
assignments for enrichment
or reteach based on
students needs

Technology can gather

evidence on the pace,
pattern, and confidence
that students exhibit via
automated assessment
systems and then use
that to help guide
interventions.

Online components
require students reach
mastery of skills

Online and paper tests

available
Online components
require students reach
mastery of skills

I used textbook created

assessments as a pre
and post test to guide
my instructional focus
based on my students
needs.
3. Practice &
Feedback =
practice clearly
linked and aligned
with objective and
assessment;
formative
assessment...studen
ts practice key tasks
and get real-time
feedback; master
one deliberate stet
at a time.

Technology can help

make it easier to
provide students with
opportunities to
practice.

Lesson plan/unit
planning included with
activities already
differentiated for learning
tiers

Lesson plan/unit
planning included with
activities already
differentiated for learning
tiers

Computer-assisted
learning can allow a
group of students to
practice certain kinds of
problems while teacher
instructs peers.

Reinforces vocab, skills

and problem solving as well
as real-world application
and higher order thinking

Reinforces vocab, skills

and problem solving as well
as real-world application
and higher order thinking

No attempt lock on
workspaces, which can
create student frustration
and cause them to give up
on module for mastery

Video downloads
available to connect math to
world

Technology can
incorporate interactive
practices easier than
printed textbooks.

Text-to-speech available
to have information
read/spoken to each

Keidi Boatfield
CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology
Cognitive Science Applied to Technology
Computerized practice
items can provide rich
data about student
learning, enabling
teachers to provide
additional, customized
practice time.

student
Teacher can limit
number of attempts to
answer each questions as
well as assign certain
problems to certain
students, which requires
students to be more diligent
in learning and application

Though the use of

chunking, timelines and
rubrics I was able to
provide real-time
feedback and
one-on-one assistance
when needed
throughout my units of
study.
4.
Demonstrations
= showing
well-constructed
worked examples
demonstrations
before students
start to practice;
evolve into guided
practice and then
solo practice; learn
the elements of
mastery and then
apply them.

Interactive technology
can blur the distinction
between demonstration,
information and
practice, while making
it easier to provide more
structured
demonstrations for
students will less
background and briefer
ones for students who
are ready to engage in
practice.

Was not able to access

web-based software to
determine if
demonstrations were
available

On the HW tool,
students have access to
several tools like: Help me
solve it which walks them
through step by step the
application piece of the
question; view other
examples; videos; and
ability to ask the teacher for
direct help, which may be
answered then or in class as
part of lesson next day

Does offer a lesson design

template to follow

Pretest data and lesson

design modules allows
teachers to customize unit
for each student with
assigning study plans

Technology can
combine effectively
audio, text and visuals.
I always had some
visual component to
each of my lessons to
help all students see as
well as hear the
instructional
expectations.
5. Information =
to maximize the
value of
demonstrations and
practice, students

Technology can allow us

to store and share data
and resources
instantaneously with
other educators and as

Keidi Boatfield
CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology
Cognitive Science Applied to Technology
need a certain
amount of
information ahead
of time; should be
as simple and
focused as possible;
presented in
discrete chunks;
used immediately to
cement context and
familiarity; break
difficult subjects
into smaller pieces
and uses visual and
auditory media to
help absorb new
information.

well as students.

6. Overview = of
the whole learning
activity provides
structure and a
chance to explain
why the objective
and practice are
important; link the
unit to what
learners have
learned before in
and out of class.

Technology can help

students see how all the
piece fit from what
theyve done and what
they are going to do
next.

Technology can allow

educators to save time
on lesson planning
through collaboration
and file-sharing.
Thanks to my student
teachers, I was able to
transitional all my
instructional files to
dropbox and now
Google drive to be able
to share information
and go paperless.

Technology can help to

create clarity and
explains why the topic is
relevant.

Reinforces vocab, skills

and problem solving as well
as real-world application
and higher order thinking

Reinforces vocab, skills

and problem solving as well
as real-world application
and higher order thinking

Lists a glossary of key

terms and/or vocabulary to
know for each section

Lists a glossary of key

terms and/or vocabulary to
know for each section

Each chapter, section or

unit has objectives and
focus of CCSS

Each chapter, section or

unit has objectives and
focus of CCSS

There is no text to
speech or videos to
demonstrate concepts,
students had to read
information on own and
then try to apply it to the
workspace modules

Calendar and widgets

used to keep students on
track about assignments as
well as showing their
progression through
modules to mastery

Each lesson I taught

always had a real-world
connection piece on
how they would/could
use these literacy and
computer skills later in
life.
7. Motivation
Support = when
topics are
challenging,
motivation is
critical; needs to be
supported
throughout the
learning activity;
include: real-time
feedback;

Technology can help to

customize learning for
each student based on
their background,
interests and personal
goals.
Technology can help
student to understand
why an objective
matters.

Rocket launch from

planet to planet is same for
all accomplishments and

Videos offer up to date

graphics, images and
real-world demonstrations
to connect to mastery

Keidi Boatfield
CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology
Cognitive Science Applied to Technology
demonstrating
importance of topic;
sharing success
stories and
strategies from
learners with
similar challenges;
affirm that they can
do the work;
sharing examples of
others who also had
difficulties;
breaking down the
task into
manageable,
confidence-building
, working
memory-friendly
pieces.

Technology can make it

easier to record ongoing
diagnostic information
allowing supports to be
targeted.

modules and show students

what they need to do.

Hints even slow to

upload, which would add to
students frustrations

All tools are very quick

and pleasing to the eye,
which keeps students
interests

The biggest motivation

for my students was the
use of choice boards,
learning menus or
tic-tac-toe assignments
as well as level-rubrics
for each assignment too.

Capabilities of
Technology:
1. Affordability

very elementary and

outdated

Section questions can be

eliminated with passage on
the pretest

Description:
Technology can make
the delivery of solutions
cheaper; Can change
the cost structures of
organizations/industry.

2. Reliability

Technology can make

delivery more reliable;
No constraints of:
schedule hassles, travel
problems, or illness
issues; available with
the click of a mouse;
more consistent;
designed to invariable
to certain things a
certain way repeatedly.

3. Available

Technology can make

things more available
24/7; with a click of a
button, things we might
have read, heard or
watched is now
accessible through

Offers both a student

workbook as well as online
component

Offers both a textbook as

well as online component

What would be the cost

of consumables for student
workbooks each year

Offers blended learning

environment that is
available 27/7

Offers blended learning

environment that is
available 27/7
Offers a way for students
to communicate directly to
their teacher for feedback or

Keidi Boatfield
CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology
Cognitive Science Applied to Technology
modern
communication,
recording and
photography.
4. Customizable

Technology can make

delivery more
customized; Technology
can step in and offer a
decent substitute for
human-customization
that is available, reliable
and customizable based
on prior behavior and
choices.

information that needs to

be discussed in class the
next day
Does offer a lesson design
template to follow
Has pre/post and
mid/end chapter tests to
use to customize and
individualize instruction
Pretest data is used to
determine module
assignments for enrichment
or reteach based on
students needs

Has pre/post and

mid/end chapter tests to
use to customize and
individualize instruction
Pretest data is used to
determine module
assignments for enrichment
or reteach based on
students needs Pretest
data and lesson design
modules allows teachers to
customize unit for each
student with assigning
study plans
Section questions can be
eliminated with passage on
the pretest
Teacher can limit
number of attempts to
answer each questions as
well as assign certain
problems to certain
students, which requires
students to be more diligent
in learning and application

5. Data-Rich

Technology can make

experiences more
data-rich; Technology
can look at the streams
of information that our
actions generate and
use that a predictors for
future actions.

Carnegie Mellon
University uses the data
from their web-based
programs to further
research and develop math
instruction

N/A

Final Thoughts:
Technology can allow people to work better and smarter;
Technology rarely allows us to do things that are wholly new; instead, it makes it easier to do these
things and lets all instructors do them more readily;
Technology can be used poorly or not at all; therefore, technology ought to offer discernable benefits
somewhere within the learning framework or the 7 key elements...if you cant figure out where, then

Keidi Boatfield
CEL 606: Global Connections Through Technology
Cognitive Science Applied to Technology

be wary.
Overall, I hated my whole experience with Carnegie Mellon University and their Cognitive Tutoring
program and if I were an Administrator, I would not recommend this product for purchase and
implementation within my district.