Studies have shown that stories are easier to understand and remember than a list of facts or a factual description. One of the key features of our modules will be to provide a story as the scaffolding for the material presented. Using this same approach, we have created a three-part story to describe the EduFX vision for both the system, which we call MILE , and the module. The first part of the story, which starts after the "Meet The Family" heading, introduces the characters and sets the background for the next two parts of the story -- which can be read in any order. The story entitled Peter and the Algebra Module describes a typical module experience from the student and teacher's viewpoint. The story entitled Mom and the MILE describes the characteristics of the overall system.

Peter bounded down the steps from his bedroom and headed straight for the kitchen. He hadn't been this excited about going back to school in years. His mother, a teacher, was one of several key people responsible for bringing a new approach to education to Washington Middle School. She had described the new system to him and it sounded great. No lectures, no homework, no grades. It didn't sound like school at all. He would work on a computer at his own pace -- watching videos and playing games instead of listening to lectures and doing drill and practice exercises. There would also be some group activities, where he would work with other students on tasks related to the material they were studying. Some of the activities would also be game-like. His mother warned him that although it may feel like play, the games were designed to be beaten only if you understood the material and you had to beat the games to get through the module. He wasn't concerned, he'd never met a computer game he couldn't win.

Peter's grandfather was already sitting at the breakfast table. He handed Peter the milk and a box of cereal. Grandpa was a retired teacher and had recently moved in with Peter and his family.

"What? No complaints about summer being over?" Grandpa teased. "You know, with this new system you won't be getting summers off."

"You mean no vacations?" Peter's excitement was starting to fade.

"Actually, we'll have more flexibility on when to take vacations." Peter's mom had just entered the kitchen. "Not only because you have more control over when you study. You could actually keep up with your studies using the Internet while you're on vacation."

"What kind of a vacation would that be?" Peter asked incredulously.

"At least you'd have the option. You never know. You might actually want to do that. You might find that studying is actually interesting."

Both Peter and his grandfather looked at Peter's mom skeptically.

The conversation was interrupted by the doorbell.

"I'll get it!" Peter said, moving towards the front door. "It's probably Juan. We're supposed to meet Mary and Rhonda at school this morning."

When Peter had disappeared through the kitchen door, his mom turned to Peter's grandfather.

"Still not convinced this is a better system, are you Dad?" she asked him.

. . . .

To follow Peter and his friends, select Peter and the Algebra Module .

To continue with the conversation between Peter's mom and grandfather, select Mom and the MILE