Equations, Graphing and Design: Project 15

Students must use their knowledge of lines and graphing to create a picture of a graph resembling a word/phrase/design of their choice. Students must name each equation that makes up their word/phrase/design. Students will create a rough draft on graph paper and then a final draft on a online graphing program. Final drafts will be presented to the class. Two projects from each class will be selected to be hung in the hallway. The most creative as well as a graphically correct project will receive an extra five points on their next test.

This is an example of what a rough draft should look like:

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What can we learn from Sir Ken Robinson?

After watching Bring On the Education Revolution I think it’s safe to say that there is a lot that we can learn from Sir Ken Robinson. This speech was influential and educational as well as comical. He presents his views on the reformation of the education system in an enjoyable way. Here are a couple things I learned from Sir Ken Robinson:

1. Two Types of People: Sir Ken Robinson presents the idea that there are two types of people in the world: the ones who have figured out their talents and passions and the ones who have not. The ones who have uncovered their talents tend to love their jobs. They love what they do because it's "who they are". The ones who have not discovered their talents tend to work for the weekend. They endure instead of enjoy. Sir Ken Robinson also claims that in order to find your talents you have to "create a circumstance where they appear." Some think that is what education does.

2. Passion Based: Education needs to be based less off an industrial or "fast food model" and more on a passion based model. We need to customize our education model based on our students and their passions. Education needs to be personalized. Everyone’s talents are different. Sir Ken Robinson talks about how he received a guitar about the same time Eric Clapton did. Even though both men received a guitar at the same time one became more successful with it. Guitar just was not Sir Ken Robinson's talent and/or passion. That's ok. He became successful under a different context. This is a clear example why we shouldn’t standardize education. Like he said "we can't predict the outcome of human development." The world needs a diversity of talents. Not everyone is headed down the same path. I really like how Sir Ken Robinson said that when you are doing something you are passionate about one hour feels like five minutes but if not, the reverse is true, five minutes feels like one hour. I have experienced this.

I very much enjoyed watching this video. I think Sir Ken Robinson had a lot of amazing things to say. The most important thing I took from this video is that we need to "rise with the occasion". Education is changing. We need to take advantage of this opportunity.

SMART

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

After watching:

First Graders in Ms. Cassidy's Class (4:56)
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1 (14:37)
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2 (4:55)
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3 (12:46)

I definitely think have a better understanding how technology can be effectively incorporated into a classroom. It was great to see an actual class in action. I particularly like how the use of blogging and technology in general gives parents the opportunity to follow their children’s progress. They don't have to wait for an open house or an annual program to see how their child is progressing. That said, I think that it motivates the students. They get excited to blog because people other than just their teacher are going to read it. I also agree with Mrs. Cassidy when she talks about how we need to be teaching students how to use the internet properly. If we do that, we avoid the possibility of students using it for the wrong reasons, going to inappropriate sites, or even using it to cheat. These are all problems that come with the territory of using technology in the classroom. We need to be teaching the students how to work collaboratively instead of simply copying someone else’s work. Mrs. Cassidy pointed out that technology can be an effective tool in any classroom, even in physical education. As a future math teacher, I think incorporating technology into my classroom will be a must. I really like the idea of using a class blog as the main "hub" for any tools my students will need for the class. On this blog I could have links to calendars, homework assignments, tools for homework assistance, and even videos that might give the students a better understanding of the subject. This will keep the students informed and eliminate them needing to ask me "What are we doing today?","What's the homework on?", or "When is our test again?".

I think that Mrs. Cassidy is an amazing educator. I like a lot of the things she had to say and technology and teaching. I think there is a great deal to still be learned from her. Most of all I like how she pointed out that we have to start incorporating technology where are interests lie.

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine. I find this tool to be very helpful, particularly in mathematics. You can type in a problem and it will solve it for you. The great thing about it is that it gives you step by step solutions for those answers. It helps you learn the process. You then can go back and do a similar problem using the steps they gave you to check your understanding. I really enjoy using this website. I even have their app! It helps me a lot with my Calculus homework if I get stuck. This could be a great tool for my future students. It could help them understand the problems. Even if they did not necessarily understand the lecture. Wolfram Alpha can also show them different ways to approach a problem. This is helpful because not everyone learns the same way. What make sense to one person might not make as much sense to another.

More For Your Money.

Candy Bar Project #14

The students will be using data collected from various candy bars in order to determine which candy bar is the ‘best’ value for money. They will be working in groups of four, collaboratively. The understanding of the Line of best fit is necessary in order to complete this project and MiniTab assist them in their pursuit. The groups will then write a paper explaining their findings (the candy bar they chose) and the reasoning behind their decision. Papers will be due at the close of the week.

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Slapout: Project 9

Walking in Mathland

Natalie Turbiville teaches Algebra and Pre-Algebra to 7th and 8th graders in Atlanta Georgia. She writes about her adventures as a math teacher in her blog called Walking in Mathland. After reading a few of her posts I call already tell she is very passionate not only about math but about teaching as well. She comes up with amazing real world examples to go along with the concepts in which she is teaching. People always say: “Why are we learning this? We are never going to use this in real life!” After reading her blog I beg to differ.

Barbie Bungee - Linear Extrapolation (Line of Best Fit) was the first post of Turbiville’s that I read. She taught the concept of the line of best fit by letting her students launch barbies off the side of a breeze way at their school. I don’t know about you, but that sounds a lot more intriguing than sitting through a lecture. The project: “Each group of 4 brought a Barbie/action figure and measured the distance of the bungee jump with 2 rubber bands, then 4 rubber bands, and then 6, 8, 10, and 12 rubber bands.” They then launched their barbies and collected the data. You could tell by the videos Turbiville posted that her students had a lot of fun. They made a connection to the material. Now they will never forget it.

Friends, Vegas, and Probability was the second post of Turbiville’s that I read. In this one her real world example wasn’t exactly student friendly. She talked about how probability is a “game of chance”. What she meant by that is gambling. She used an episode of the TV show “Friends” to demonstrate what she was talking about. In this particular episode Monica and Chandler are in Vegas at a casino rolling dice to decide whether or not they should get married. Not exactly the best role models for students. Either way the whole concept was that Monica had a 5/36 chance in rolling a sum of 8 and a 1/36 chance in rolling a “hard eight” (two fours). That’s math expressed in a real world situation.

Egg Drop

Egg Drop Project #13
By: Anna Meitzler, Evan Grace and MacKenzie Yancey

First the students must work through a bridge building module to understand structures. This module is what we like to call the learning phase. It teaches them about how different shapes and angles are stronger than others. Once they have an understanding of what they are working with then we move on to the next step, the Egg catcher project, where they will apply what they have learned.

My 10th grade Physics class was given a 100 dollar budget and a weeks time to make the best egg catcher model. The class of 20 was broken into 4 groups of 5 students. The models will be tested by dropping the egg 8 feet and using the best model to catch the egg without it breaking. Each group was given the option to buy many different materials including tape, cardboard, tissue paper, foam and regular paper. The students were also instructed to take notes and record results in a journal. These results will be presented in the class presentation of the finished product.

This project will help students in the future by having them work in a group. working in a group can be very trying at times. The egg drop project can also help with the students communication. In order for this project to be successful each group must have a clear understanding of each other and their intentions. Critical thinking and creativity are also very critical in this. At the end of the week each group is instructed to present their project to the rest of the class and prove why their egg drop model is the best. All of these skills will be required in their future.

What Can We Learn About Teaching and Learning From Randy Pausch?

After watching Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture I really felt like I had to just take a moment to let it all set in. So, what can we learn about teaching and learning from Randy Pausch? A lot. A lot is exactly what we can learn from this amazing educator. There is so much he said that we can learn from, but here are a few of my favorites.

1. I learned that learning never stops. There will always be better and more effective ways to do things. If you are passionate about something you don't ever stop. As a future educator I am passionate about finding the best ways to engage my students. I want my students to be excited about learning and what better way to do that than to show them how passionate I am about learning.

2. I learned that learning can be fun and that students respond better when learning is fun. Students are more apt to learn something when they forget that they are actually learning. Pausch calls it a "Head Fake" or more commonly known as indirect learning. Using a project to teach a concept they wouldn't normally be interested in.

3. I learned that as a future teacher I have to believe 100% in every single one of my students. Pausch talks about the advice he was given that if he only give it enough time, everyone will exceed expectations and surprise you. I have to believe that everyone is capable of greatness if given the right amount of time. The time it takes is different for everyone.

4. I learned that the best gift an educator can give is for their student to be self reflective. This was best said by Pausch. For a student to be able to recognize what they are doing wrong or that they can do better is an extraordinary accomplishment. This extinguishes all arrogance. The possibility of being held back their lack of ability to evaluate themselves is non existent.

Randy Pausch had some pretty amazing accomplishments. The most amazing thing was the knowledge he accumulated from his years of teaching.