The Secret World of Cookie Man
http://www.learningwave.com/preview/integers/cm1.html

Description
This program was designed as an engaging activity for secondary students to practice using basic formulas, like distance and area. Students have to help “Cookie Man” in his adventure, solving problems along the way. Students must be able to set up formulaic equations correctly, substitute values for variables, as well as solve for missing amounts. The program offers amusing and laughable problems that make solving them fun and engaging for all students.

Evaluation
What mathematics is (potentially) being learned?
NCTM Standard(s) addressed?
-Algebra, 6-8: Students will be able to represent and analyze situations with equations and will be able to solve equations using given values.
-Numbers and Operations, 6-8: Students will be able to develop and analyze methods for solving problems.
-Measurement, 6-8: Students will be able to understand and convert between different units of measurement.

What is the nature of the mathematics?
The nature of the mathematics is to be able to read and analyze a word problem, extract useful data, and to be able to successfully apply the data using a given formula. The problems are all in word form and students are expected to use problem solving skills to solve them. Students are using the area formula for a rectangle, the distance formula, as well as simple conversion methods to solve the word problems.

How does learning take place?
Learning takes place as the student apply strategies to find the missing values requested in each of the problems. Students are substituting values into equations and correctly and evaluating them for a numeric answer. Students are able to check their answers in the solution box, as an incorrect answer will lead them to the next problem, while an incorrect will keep them on the same problem. This ensures that the students will have to complete each problem and achieve success in order to make it through the entire program.

What role does technology play?
The technology affords students the opportunity to represent their knowledge and thinking by solving complex equations and applying useful formulas. Students’ knowledge is represented as they make their way through the “Cookie Man” program, solving each given problem.

The technology itself provides the students with an engaging backdrop to complete word problems dealing with algebraic concepts. While the story presented by the technology is silly and goofy, the problems themselves are excellent examples for using formulas and equations in mathematics. The technology offers the students these problems to students while keeping them interested with an funny story.

How does it fit within existing school curriculum?
This program fits well into any secondary school curriculum. At the secondary level students are being introduced to many algebraic concepts, like equations, variables, and using formulas. “Cookie Man” promotes all of these in a manner that engages students. “Cookie Man” would be a wonderful supplement to any algebra unit, or even used as an assessment of students learning by teachers.

How does the technology fit or interact with the social context of learning?
The program itself does not offer much in the way of a “hint” to students. The problem solving is done strictly by the students themselves- which is rigorous work. Because of the nature of the problems, “Cookie Man” is a fantastic program to do in partners. Students analyzing the problems in partners would have opportunity to discuss their methods for solving with one another, thus leading to some fruitful mathematic discussion.

How are important differences among learners taken into account?
Differences amongst learners are not addressed with the program, as it is one of its downfalls. The program lacks any levels of difficulty or assistance to lower-level learners. If students have poor reading skills they are almost certain to struggle comprehending the story and problems presented. Another problem with the program is that there is only one set of problems- once students have correctly answered the problems there is nothing else for them to do. Once the program is completed once, there is no use for using it again.

What do teachers and learners need to know?
This program is part of a preview for a website, http://www.learningwave.com/, which is devoted to creating engaging online activities for secondary students. Many of the activities are designed by teachers for classroom use, including “Cookie Man”. “Cookie Man” is one of the preview programs available to teachers for free.

Students need to be prepared to have a pencil and paper (or calculator) handy as they go through the “Cookie Man” program. The program does not offer much assistance in the solving of each problem, so students have to be persistent and patient, especially those of lower levels. Reading skills are also very important for this program, as all of the problems and story is reading based.