Research study finds Espresso Increases Student Performance in Math

(January 23, 2012)

MIDA Learning Technologies, an educational consultancy organization, has published the results of an 18-month mixed methods study regarding the efficacy of Espresso in 10 classrooms. The research design was a non-randomized control group pre-test/post-test design among ten second grade mathematics classes in northeastern Pennslyvania. During nine weeks of the final academic semester of the 2010-2011 school year, 5 of the classes (the experimental group) integrated Espresso Elementary into their regular math instructon.

The quantitive findings of the study show: Espresso Elementary had a significantly positive impact on student performance in math.

The students in the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group on the standards-based post-test
The students in the experimental group also significantly performed better on the standards-based post-test than the standards-based pre-test

This statistical data suggests that the use of Espresso as part of the everyday math curriculum, even when used for a little more than one hour per week, helped students to achieve at higher levels than their counterparts who were taught without Espresso. The data also suggests that students who were exposed to Espresso as part of the curriculum, showed significant growth over a single marking period (9 weeks). These findings are consistent with learning theory that promotes multisensory approaches to teaching in the early grades.

MIDA also conducted a qualitative survey of teachers who used Espresso during the study and the district administrators of participating schools. All participants in the research study believed Espresso played an important role for teachers and became an integral part of the lesson plan, frequently used to reinforce mathematical concepts in whole group, small groups and individualized instruction. They observed that Espresso increased student interest and focus on the mathematical topics being taught in the classroom - particularly using whiteboards where students actively participated in their own learning. teachers reported increased levels of student engagement, participation in group discussions, and more student questions. Espresso provided a meaningful learning context resulting in a classroom climate promoting higher student achievement. It was observed that the experiences often provided students with "a-ha" moments that came about through their interaction with the site as a learning tool used to help promote understanding of the content and concepts being taught in the classroom.

The results of the MIDA research reinforce many of the findings from of an independent academic evaluation conducted by Lancaster University of over 330 Espresso schools across the U.K.

Download the executive summary and full study on www.espressoeducation.com/research.

About Espresso Elementary

Espresso Elementary, for Pre-K to 5 is a cross-curricular, multimedia learning site with a wide range of interactive, video-rich curriculum resources that inspire children to learn. The award-winning resources on Espresso have been built up since 1997, and have proven to engage students while helping them to achieve educational outcomes. Each week, fresh curriculum material and News Roundup current event stories are added, with links to learning outcomes, alignments to Common Core and State standards, and links across other relevant subject areas.

Espresso Elementary was launched in the U.S. in April 2010 and is a product of Espresso Education, the U.K. market leader in the provision of video-based digital curriculum services to primary and secondary schools.

About MIDA Learning Technologies

MIDA Learning Technologoes, LLC specializes in creating professonial learning experiences focused on educational products. Professional development is designed in online, hybrid, and face-to-face formats to reach a broad audience. The experiences link the latest research and promising practices with practical applications for schools and school systems to maximize potential implementation of educational products. MIDA employs a team of content specialists who develop content and review participant submissions for quality assurance. The company also conducts a wide range of research projects linked to educationl product integration.

For more information, contact:

Hazel Carter, Marketing Manager, 847-850-0188 x 218, hazel_carter@espressoeducation.com