This software is an example of Interactive Group Software. It presents the class with a real-life situation. Two teenagers are climbing up a cliff. One wrong move causes one of the teenagers to break their leg. Their cry for help is heard and rescuers now have to use their math skills to calculate how to safely rescue the injured boy. The video is split into 3 Acts. The class needs to be split into groups of four. Each member is then given a work sheet and is responsible for finding certain information from the video when watching. The class watches the video and takes notes on information they need. After the watching the first Act the students have to use the information gathered to perform computations with fractions and ratios, apply rate and proportions to time and distance problems, build equivalent representations of fractions and ratios, and use numerical relationships and expressions in quantitative problems. They have to work together to share information they collected and need to work together to find the answer to a group question. The program then randomly picks on the students in the group asking for the answers from their work sheets. The program records the right and wrong answers. The program then asks the children to write down in words how they got their answers. The teacher must come and read the answer and decide how to rate them. If an answer is wrong the program guides the student through the steps how to arrive at the answer. Act II uses the same format. Act III is just the conclusion of the rescue. The program also provides fun videos and handouts for homework for two nights. This program would take two-four class periods depending on the length of your class and the levels of instruction.

 Accuracy Content

The content of the video presentation was truly realistic. It presented believable characters in a high-angle rescue. It is intense to watch. Math is used in a real-life situation.

The software is very easy to install. It also required that you installed Quick Time if you didn’t already have it on your machine in order to view the movie portion. It is meant to be run by the teacher. It was very easy to pause the video at any time or to go back a few frames if necessary. The screens the students had to read were very clear in the directions the students were suppose to follow.

The software does an excellent job in relating math to a real life situation. It gives students a purpose for what they are learning. It is fun to watch and be a part of the rescue, taking you away from the usual book format. A scoring system is built into the program. The teacher does need to be involved when the students are required to use words to describe strategies they used in order to solve their problems, but can easily input their grade with the rest of their answers.

The students are involved in a cooperative learning environment. They have to work together to solve a group problem. Students have to listen to take appropriate notes, relate information gathered to formulas, and communicate to others how they came about the answer they did.

The teacher runs the lesson. The teacher sets the tone for the activity. The teacher acts as a facilitator, coach, and evaluator. The teacher controls the diversity of groups. The teacher controls the pace of the activity. The software is easy to manipulate and may be easily reviewed if a part needs to be seen again. The teacher decides, based on the group, how much prior knowledge the class may need to know to successfully complete the activities. The teacher must participate in some of the assessment because some answers need to be read by the teacher.

The program is designed to be used by the whole class at the same time. A large screen would be needed for viewing by the whole class. During the activity portion, students work in groups of four. They need to enter their group’s result into the program in order for assessment.

Overall Rating: 9 out of 10

This program would complement your math curriculum when used as a project at the end of a unit. It would bring an understanding to students just how math is used in everyday life. The software is easy to manipulate and allows you to manipulate it as you see fit for the needs of your students.

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