Dreambox
A guide to using the district's adaptive math tool
We recommend about a 20 minute work time. Most students can complete at least one lesson in that amount of time, although complexity of the lessons differs.
Resources in many languages can be found in this folder: https://bit.ly/DreamboxBSD
What is Dreambox?
Dreambox is an adaptive math program that is being used in the Beaverton School District by K-8 students during the school day and at home as well. Dreambox constantly collects data from students and provides them with lessons, hints, and pacing to best match each child as an individual learner. The tool is visually interesting and engages students in concept based tasks. It is important that students DO NOT use paper/pencil so that the program can collect data about how the child solves the problems. Having the volume up or using headphones is also necessary.
This tool is supported by the district’s math department and was adopted by the School Board for K-5. All students in grades K-8 in our district have access to this tool all year long, including summer access. Dreambox works best on a computer or iPad with the free app.
Healthy Habits for Success in Dreambox
2. Finish every lesson: Persevere instead of choosing another lesson
3. Utilize the in-lesson support: The feedback, hints, and help are created to assist you
4. Use headphones or speakers with volume on: Listen to the directions, assistance and feedback
5. Work independently: Don't let others do you work for you
6. Complete 5 or more lessons per week: Students who meet this goal experience the most learning growth
How do I get my child logged in?
Computer directions (If your student is in grades K-2 you will need to request their BSD log in information from the classroom teacher)
Dreambox does not currently work on Android tablets or phones. Contact your student's teacher if you need help getting access to a device or wifi.
Directions in other languages can be found here: http://bit.ly/CDLDreambox
What if my student gets frustrated?
Rather than helping them with the math, see the section in this newsletter about Questions to Help.
How is Dreambox Different than other Math Homework?
2. Wrong answers are okay
3. There is a built in help/hint button
4. Students DO NOT use paper/pencil to solve problems
5. When students are finished, they must click the X in the top right to quit (otherwise Dreambox may not save their progress)
While in a Dreambox lesson, the program is following a student's every move. Any help they get could move them beyond their understanding and lead to more difficult problems and therefore more frustration. The best way to help your child is to remind them about the help button. The help offered is different each time and the program keeps track of where help is needed and adjusts lessons accordingly. If no help/hint is available, encourage guesses and remind your student that a wrong answer only makes the tool more individualized for their learning.
Hear from a BSD teacher and student
What does "Adaptive" mean?
Why Dreambox and not another digital math program?
Dreambox was chosen to compliment our adoption (which includes Best Practices in a Math Workshop and the curriculum Context For Learning Mathematics CFLM). Dreambox teaches students in a way that conceptually matches the work teachers are doing during workshop. Students are assigned work that best meets their needs and helps to build conceptual understanding at their developmental level. This is especially beneficial when the skills students need is not at their current grade level.
We have heard that other online math programs are highly engaging for students, but what we found when evaluated other programs is that they do not allow for productive struggle in the way that Dreambox does. Also, we know that if a program has students do math to earn some other fun activity, we are giving the message that math is not fun. With Dreambox you earn math game time by doing math.
Some of the key things to keep in mind when looking at educational math games:
1. Is there time pressure? (not having time pressure is a good thing.)
2. Is it focused on conceptual understanding?
3. How does it handle mistakes?
Questions to help your child during a Dreambox lesson
1. Have you clicked the help or hint button?
2. What do you think you are supposed to do here?
3. Show me what you’re doing that isn’t working.
4. What have you tried already?
5. Have you learned something in other Dreambox lessons that could help here?
If you have asked these and nothing has helped, it might be time for a break.
How can I see my child's progress?
Go to the district’s student apps page.
Have your child login to his or her profile just as it would be done at school.
Click Setup Parent Access at the bottom of the page. (small blue print)
Follow the instructions to create a login (email) and password (12 characters).
Read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Click Submit.
Once you have an account, you will log into your 'Family Insights Dashboard' at http://play.dreambox.com and click Family Dashboard after entering username and password. Seeing your account can be done from any device.