WHAT:
Researchers in the Learning Sciences Research Group at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) will show off a powerful intelligent tutoring and assessment system called ASSISTment, which is being made available--at no cost--to Central Massachusetts school districts. ASSISTment is a web-based system that assesses which concepts students have mastered and which they still need to work on; it also provides teachers--and parents--with immediate, day-to-day feedback on their progress, making it easier to offer individualized instruction to help them master concepts they may be struggling with. The system will be demonstrated by teachers at Shrewsbury's Oak Middle School, who have been using the web-based tutor in their classrooms.
WHY:
This meeting will be an opportunity for teachers and administrators to see what the classroom of the future will look like, a classroom where new technologies like ASSISTment will enhance student learning, improve teacher productivity, and raise the overall quality of education without placing undue burdens on school budgets or resources.
WHO:
Neil Heffernan, associate professor of computer science at WPI and principal investigator for the ASSISTment project, along with Christine O'Connor and Courtney Mulcahy, 8th grade mathematics at Oak Middle School, will explain ASSISTment and demonstrate the system.
Teachers and administrators from school systems in Bellingham, Millbury, Nashoba, Norfolk, Northborough/Southborough, Wayland, Wachusett, and Westborough are expected to attend.
WHEN:
June 2, 2010, from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Oak Middle School, 45 Oak Street, Shrewsbury, Mass (508-841-1200)
