Blended Learning | News

Los Angeles Universal Preschool Adopts Blended Approach to Math

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 09/03/13

Ten Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) sites will begin using a game-based math program to help students from low-income families build a foundation for math.

Made possible by a three-year, $200,000 grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation, LAUP will provide Spatial-Temporal (ST) Math to 1,400 preschoolers to help teachers "establish a blended learning environment in their classrooms that combines group lessons and individual, self-paced work on computers," according to a news release about the move.

ST Math, which is already in use in the Los Angeles Unified School District, uses "interactive, graphically-rich animations that visually represent mathematical concepts to improve conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills," according to information on the Mind Research Institute's site.

In addition to the program, which will be used primarily in preschools that feed elementary schools that also use it, the grant will provide professional development for 20 teachers.

"At LAUP, our mission is to provide an affordable and accessible quality preschool education to 4-year-olds living in LA County, because all children deserve a year of engaging, thought-provoking learning activities to ensure their kindergarten readiness," said Celia C. Ayala, CEO of LAUP, in a prepared statement. "Young children are naturally curious and drawn to exploration, scientific discovery and patterns, and we are excited for this grant opportunity from the MIND Research Institute and the Keck Foundation to help more children become better prepared for their future academic success."

More information about ST Math is available at web.stmath.com.