The Jasper Series: Video-disc (Mathematical Problem-Solving)
The Jasper series featuring the adventures of Jasper Woodbury are laser video discs that showcase real-life mathematical problems. Twelve video-disc adventures were created in the 1980’s by a team from the Learning Technology Center of Vanderbilt University. The videos contain actual footage of real-life problems and provide all the necessary information to solve the mathematical challenges. The technology of the laser discs allows students to locate their information easily and pause over sections where images are clear. The mathematical challenge associated with the adventure requires a solution approach that is multi-step, and contains alternative problem foci for investigation.
My immediate impression of the videos was how dated they are and that my students would consider the program old and awkward. Of course this program was created in the 1980’s so students of this generation would consider the characters and settings to be quite normal. This program is a great idea to contextualize mathematical problem solving with actual video footage that contains all of the information necessary. Word problems that students encounter within text books are not contextualized at all and students are required to visualize the scenario to create any type of authenticity. This adds but another conceptually difficult step to an already challenging mathematical problem.
The Jasper Series enables a collaborative problem solving approach where a small class or group can work together to find solutions. Students don’t have to visualize what the scenario looks like as it is provided for them on the video. I work in a multi-grade school where the Jasper Series could provide great potential for this type of collaborative work. Grouping kids of differing abilities and grades would promote not only collaborative work, but provide great opportunity for peer teaching and coaching.
I am about to begin project based mathematical problem solving with my grade 8-10 class and I feel empowered to begin this adventure with my students in light of what I have reviewed in the Jasper series. I would like to know if there are any updated or current versions of the Jasper series available for purchase? A question I will be exploring.
Stephen