Transforming the Learning of Science for 2nd Grade Latinx Students Through Meaningful Interactions Using Technology Outside of School (Project MITOS)

Overview

The MITOS app will provide culturally and linguistically appropriate activities to expand student science vocabulary and content knowledge particularly for English learners (ELs), who are our targeted high needs population of students.

Purpose

The purpose of this mid-phase project is to adapt and scale the use of a gamified app (MITOS) designed to be used both in school and outside of school to increase second grade student opportunities to develop science vocabulary and content knowledge.

Procedures

  • Teachers assign students lessons from the MITOS app to be completed outside of school based on the science content they will be teaching.
  • Students work on the MITOS lessons for approximately 50 minutes per week (i.e., 10 minutes per day), guided by a friendly character or avatar who prompts them to answer questions out loud as part of the app activities.
  • Parents use a structured process to discuss the lessons students are learning at home for approximately 30 minutes per week (i.e., 10 minutes per day for three days).
  • Teachers view student scores and student progress on the dashboard and make decisions on what science words or concepts should be revisited or discussed in small or large group discussions.

Participants

Second grade students, their families, and their teachers

Timeline

  • Goal 1: Adapting MITOS app for scaling, years 1–2 (2024–25 school year)
  • Goal 2: Enhancing teacher dashboard and feasibility of MITOS, years 2–3
  • Goal 3: Conducting rigourous evaluation of MITOS, years 1–4
  • Goal 4: Disseminating findings, year 5

Outcomes

  1. Adapting the MITOS app for game play in multiple devises; students can use the app without adult support
  2. Completing trainings for teachers and parents on how to use MITOS at school and at home at the end of Year 2; 100% of teachers attend the training and can use the dashboard, 100% of parents attend the workshop
  3. Conducting one randomized control trial; students in treatment schools benefit significantly more from MITOS compared to students in control schools
  4. Disseminating findings to researchers, practitioners, and parents; increasing our knowledge of what strategies and activities work and for whom