<div>Sharing Open Learning Exchange (<a href="http://ole.org">ole.org</a>) information about an experience with TeacherMate.</div><br clear="all">Regards,<div>Pablo Flores</div><div><a href="http://activitycentral.com" target="_blank">activitycentral.com</a></div>
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<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Peter Slate</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:peter.slate@ole.org">peter.slate@ole.org</a>></span><br>
Date: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 9:31 PM<br>Subject: OLE Update - Rwanda TeacherMate Report<br>To: Pablo Flores <<a href="mailto:pflores@activitycentral.com">pflores@activitycentral.com</a>><br><br><br><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Hello Pablo:</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">It's been a while -- I hope you're doing well!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br>
</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">I'm writing to share with you the exciting results of a study we conducted in Rwanda using the "TeacherMate" device. </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">The </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">results of the report (attached) are remarkable. </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">We believe this is the first time that the introduction of a </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">technology-supported learning system</span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> has shown substantial improvements in basic literacy </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">in a developing country.</span></div>
<div><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">The Open Learning Exchange in Rwanda conducted a pilot study of the handheld TeacherMate Differentiated Learning System with 620 primary school students in Kigali. The project included setting up control groups and administering pre and post tests to students using </span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">the </span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">USAID/RTI standardized English literacy test for Rwanda. </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Students using the </span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">TeacherMate</span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> had </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">nearly</span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </span><u style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">triple</u><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> the increases in literacy test scores compared with two different control groups (an average 36% increase in scores compared with 14% in each of the control groups). This is all the more impressive for several reasons. First, the TeacherMate students had only 40 minutes per week instead of the recommended 100 minutes. In addition, the teachers had no previous experience with ICT and they used the system for less than the full school year.</span></div>
<div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">The use of the TeacherMate involves a total systems approach, not just one piece of the challenge. The Rwanda project included content aligned with the curriculum, high levels of interaction, frequent performance feedback for students, a Classroom Management System that supported customizing the learning process of each student. and the hardware that enabled this to happen. </span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">At a cost of approximately $50 for each TeacherMate device, we have estimated the amortized cost of the program at less than $5 per student per year. This begins to be an effective approach that can scale quickly.</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </span><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">As a result of this success, OLE is working with Innovations for Learning (<a href="http://innovationsforlearning.org/" target="_blank">innovationsforlearning.org</a>) to expand the TeacherMate program in Africa. We are hoping to introduce pilots in Uganda and Ghana in addition to continuing in Rwanda in 2012. This second stage pilot will involve using iPod Touch devices for students and teachers in a school with some access to the Internet. This will enable us to use the Classroom Management System to </span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">track student progress </span><span style="font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">wirelessly</span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> and to support the remote coaching of teachers throughout the school year</span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">. We will also be exploring the effects of increased home use. We are looking for financial support for this next stage and welcome any recommendations.</span></div>
<div><br style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">I am attaching the full report to this email for your review and comments. Please feel free to circulate the report to those you believe will find it of interest.</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Thanks as always for your support.</span></div>
<div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif">Best regards,</font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><div>Peter Slate<br>Director, Program Development and Operations</div>
<div><font color="#888888"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#888888"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">Open Learning Exchange, Inc. </span></font></div><div>One Broadway / Cambridge, MA 02142 - USA</div>
<div>Office: <a href="tel:%2B1%20617.401.2305" value="+16174012305" target="_blank">+1 617.401.2305</a> / Mobile: <a href="tel:%2B1%20857.200.3125" value="+18572003125" target="_blank">+1 857.200.3125</a></div><div><span style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"><a href="http://www.ole.org/" target="_blank">www.ole.org</a></span></div>
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