1. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

2. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
From the Florida Department of Education
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Program Overview
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

3. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Math Timeline: High School Benchmarks
Interactive program offers practice on all benchmarks tested on the high school math FCAT
Available at no cost to all Florida public schools
Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

4. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Fidelity with the Official FCAT
Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications
Rigorous item development process
Items drafted by reading teachers and professional item writers
Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

5. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Input from Exemplary Education Professionals
Highly-qualified classroom teachers
Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level
National Board Certified
Recipients of Teacher of the Year awards
Presidential Award Winners
Experienced FCAT Coach
Masters Degrees
TEACHER PIC
HERE
YO!
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

6. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
FCAT-like Practice
FCAT-like practice on all assessed benchmarks
320 FCAT-like practice items:
266 Multiple Choice
54 Gridded-Response
Two-page multiple-choice item
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

7. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
FCAT-like Practice
Topics drawn from other subject areas standards
Geography
Science
Social Studies
The Arts
Health Education
Physical Education
Engaging graphics reinforce math concept, important ideas in the subject matter, or both
Every item presented in real-life problem-solving context
Science
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

8. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Instructional Support
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

9. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Instructional Support
1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT
Congratulations!
Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)
Confirms the elements that make an answer correct
Reinforces effective skill application
CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

10. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Instructional Support
1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT
Hints for Success to clarify the question without giving away the answer
“Common error” feedback written specifically to correct common mistakes
Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

11. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Instructional Support
2nd ATTEMPT
For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms & reinforces accurate skill application
For INCORRECT answer, the CAE:
CAEs are carefully worded to convey more than one way to solve most problems
Identifies correct answer
Helps student solve similar problems in the future
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

12. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Practice Items
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

13. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
FCAT-like Practice Items
GRIDDED-RESPONSE ITEM EXAMPLE
Students make calculations on paper, as needed
Type number, slash, or decimal point into the grid and bubble fills in automatically
Fractions not accepted until reduced to simplest form
Program demonstrates how to fill in corresponding bubbles correctly
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

14. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
FCAT-like Practice Items
MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEM EXAMPLE
Same formatting details as used for test items on the FCAT 2.0
Same mathematical notation conventions as used on the FCAT 2.0
When possible, incorrect answer choices represent “common errors”
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

15. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Special Features
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

16. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Motivational Features
ENGAGING INTERFACE
Student chooses freely among 5 Time Periods
Within each Time Period, student chooses among 4 Themes
After selecting a Theme, student begins working practice items
Sense of exploration engages curiosity
Student control increases motivation
Time Periods
Student clicks Start to begin practicing
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

17. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Motivational Features
Optional Navigation by Strand
Student selects a subject
Student sees list of all items ranked from easiest to hardest.
Same historically rich context for each item
Student control increases motivation
Student clicks an item to begin practicing
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

18. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Motivational Features
DETAILED ILLUSTRATIONS
Reinforce important concepts and information
Help pique curiosity
Help maintain attention & endurance
Help students perceive math as interesting and relevant
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

19. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
CHALLENGE LIST
Links directly to items answered incorrectly
Helps students focus on skill improvement
Displays corresponding strand
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

20. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
REMEDIAL LESSONS
Math Machine
Offers five interactive lessons in Geometry and Spatial Sense
Includes review of basic geometry concepts and vocabulary
Offers increasingly difficult multiple choice practice items with detailed feedback
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

21. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
REMEDIAL LESSONS
Math Machine
Provides real-world context for math concepts
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

22. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
REMEDIAL LESSONS
Math Machine
Reviews vocabulary relevant to the benchmark
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

23. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
REMEDIAL LESSONS
Math Machine
Features interactive activities to reinforce concepts
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

24. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
REMEDIAL LESSONS
Math Machine
Provides practice multiple choice questions
Results can be accessed from the Teacher’s Desk
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

25. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
GLOSSARY
Click “ear” icon to hear word pronounced
Spelling and definition
Illustration, as appropriate
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

26. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Helpful Tools
REFERENCE SHEET & CALCULATOR
Online formula reference sheet with same content as on the FCAT 2.0
Online calculator with same functions as on the FCAT 2.0
Reference Sheet
Calculator
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

27. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Educators’ Tools
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

28. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Educators’ Tools
Curriculum resources
Classroom Teacher’s Desk
Item Review provides a printable version of all Math Timeline items
Letter to Parents
School Administrator’s Desk
Information management tools
Sign-in names and passwords
Progress Reports
Messages to students
District Administrator’s Desk
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

29. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Student Performance Reports
At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk
Check progress on individuals or classes
View math data by Theme, Strand, or Benchmark
Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

30. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
The Parent & Family Guide
Accessible from the home page without a password
Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

31. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Visit the Educator Resources Page
Linked from the home page
Download this PowerPoint presentation
Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual
Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual
Download other presentations
Reading Focus Overview
Math Focus Overview
Program-specific presentations
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

32. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Toll-Free Help Desk
Accessible from the home page without a password
FCAT
Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

33. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
To get sign-in names & passwords
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS Contact your district office and speak to the FCAT Explorer “district administrator”
TEACHERS Contact your FCAT Explorer “school administrator”
FCAT Explorer Home Page (
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

34. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Math Timeline: High School Mathematics
Log on to the FCAT Explorer!
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001