Texas Tech Professor Receives Grant for Online Math Tutorial

An education professor at Texas Tech has received a grant to help students with their math abilities online.

Fethi Inan, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, has been awarded a grant of nearly $113,000 to implement an adaptive web-based tutorial aimed at improving grade-school students’ abilities in mathematics problem solving.

The grant comes from the Next Generation Learning Challenges, and is aimed to help Inan incorporate his previously designed tutorial into high school and junior high school math classrooms.

The program is specifically tailored to increase the state math test scores and algebra word problem-solving skills for students classified as “at risk”.

Inan discussed his tutorial, saying “while students solve problems, their knowledge and skills will be continuously monitored and the content presentation, assessment items, feedback, and scaffolds will be adapted and personalized.”

A research team will also provide teachers with resources such as lesson plan examples and other materials for integration into their curriculum. As detailed progress reports come out from this program, instructors can pinpoint the specific skills a student has trouble with, and can make the adjustments to help them.

The finalized tutorial will be implemented in three schools by spring of next year.