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Lincoln Middle Schools Students Use Technology to Help Each Other Succeed

Campus Innovation: Kids Teaching Kids

Lincoln Middle School creates an innovative learning environment centered on kids teaching kids. Middle school students create math video lessons and collaborate via a Moodle-powered class website, creating a community of learners. Eric Marcos teaches 6th Grade Mathematics at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica, California. He also operates Mathtrain.TV, a site that features math video lessons (a.k.a. mathcasts) created by his students.

Technology That Works

It started when 6th grade math teacher Eric Marcos wanted a class website where he could post homework assignments on-line, as well as offer students and their families a variety of resources. The idea evolved after he began using a tablet personal computer (PC) in class instead of using a blackboard or projecting information by using an overhead projector. Marcos noticed that using the tablet transformed his teaching because he could have the students write on the screen, project what was written, save, edit, search or print what was written, and e-mail the notes from a lesson to those students who were absent.  In addition, his students were fascinated and excited by the tablet PC. They wanted to write on it and touch it, they started hanging out after class so they could use it.

The next step was when Marcos, using the tablet and Camtasia Studio’s screen recording software, produced an online movie of a problem that students could watch on the Internet. This was much easier than the old method he was using to explain homework problem solving that involved typing the problem’s steps into an e-mail. By using the tablet he could also problem solve by drawing pictures, which were easily viewable by the students.

“Right away, I saw the opportunity to use Camtasia Studio as a tool to help my students. At times, students e-mail me with questions or ask for assistance with their math homework. In the past, I would have to try to explain a math concept or problem via a text e-mail message. This was not ideal, especially when it came to trying to insert proper operations and symbols. Camtasia Studio simplifies this with simple recording and editing features that are easy to learn,” said Eric Marcos.

Once Mr. Marcos discovered Camtasia Studio, he began recording individualized mini-tutorials. Within 15-minutes or less, a student could access a quick video tutorial. The students were always amazed, thankful and best of all the videos usually helped them grasp the concept they were struggling with. The students would often comment that it was like having their own personal tutor. Mr. Marcos took it another step when he built a library of math video tutorials that included at least one tutorial for each math topic covered in class. He began by producing a few himself, but quickly realized that a student—in his or her own words, voice and handwriting—might be more effective. Thus, the first student produced mathcast was born. This idea then evolved into the free interactive website where students could go to help each other that is now called Mathtrain.TV 

“It was really fun and easy to make my first online math video using the tablet and Camtasia Studio. I have even learned how to edit and include pop-ups and arrows to my mathcasts. I also find that I learn a lot more after I actually teach certain math problems. It’s pretty cool,” said Camilla Spielman, the first student of Mr. Marcos to produce an online math tutorial.

Kids Teaching Kids

Mathtrain.com was established as a destination site where kids could share and collaborate on math assignments and problems. It includes each classroom discussion in screencast form, student blogs and forums and student produced online math videos called mathcasts or screencasts that go through problem solving process.

“The goal of Mathtrain.com is to give kids a place to discuss math and help each other learn. The discussions you see on the site are remarkable… the kids have been really engaged and feed off of each other. They get that it’s not about giving each other the answers, but rather helping each other learn how to solve the problems,” said Mr. Marcos.

Mr. Marcos says that as soon as a couple of students created successful mathcasts it caught on like wildfire. Students were lining up, literally, to get in on the action. Students can download their mathcasts from Mathtrain.com, Mathtrain.TV, YouTube, TeacherTube, iTunes, and Google Video.

“Mr. Marcos trusted and encouraged these 11-13 year old kids to use his personal, valuable equipment and would instruct them on how to create and solve math problems.  Not only did this help them learn, but he also understood how he could then use these examples to teach his other kids in their own "language"... "Kids teaching kids math" This is a new concept on so many levels,” said Amani Spielman, parent to two students of Mr. Marcos.

To watch the student-created mathcasts, please visit http://www.Mathtrain.TV

The Mathtrain website has grown to be much more than just a simple 6th grade website. According to Marcos, the Mathtrain.com link receives over a quarter of a million hits each month. He explains that individuals and educational organizations across the United States refer to the Mathtrain link on their own sites.

An example is a math teacher from a middle school in Ohio whom emailed Marcos directly, saying, “Please tell your students there is a school in Ohio [that] is starting to understand math a bit better because of them.”

Recently, Mr. Marcos launched Mathtrain.TV that simplifies the library by having one location that stores all the Mathtrain student produced mathcasts and includes a search function that allows students and parents to easily find mathcasts that solve any of questions that may come up.

“I believe Mr. Eric Marcos has significantly advanced the quality of education amongst his peers, locally, nationally and truly globally, and elevates the children who are fortunate enough to be his students, to a new level of engagement and enrichment through technology!” said Amani Spielman.“We have been so fortunate to be involved in his exciting approach to education. He is truly a pioneer in education; not only teaching math to children and teaching his unique approach to colleagues, but in displaying a new avenue that can be embraced for all subject matters.”

As a result of Marcos’s innovative work, other Lincoln math teachers have also started their own student-generated mathcasts.

"Even some English teachers at our school are starting to create video tutorials with Camtasia Studio, using the "Kids Teaching Kids" model", added Marcos.

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About Lincoln Middle School

Lincoln Middle School is recognized throughout the United States as a leader in educational reform. Lincoln Middle School is organized to meet the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of early adolescents. The Schools organizational structure and instructional program build independence and a broad range of skills to ensure success as student’s progress to higher education. Working together to best meet each student’s needs an interdisciplinary team of core academic teacher’s shares responsibility for each student’s academic and behavioral growth. Students also receive support from a grade level counselor teamed with an assistant principal. 

 

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