Sunday, January 30, 2011

A Proposal of New Methods

In the past, I showed my students “Rebus Puzzles” (the picture puzzles that one has to reason out the message) as a type of “warm up”. Their brains lighted up like Christmas trees with activity. The excitement about the race to solving it is what I want to initiate when students look at mathematics. I believe I am in a rut that some educators fall into. That is, showing students how to solve problems of similar nature and then asking them to show me that they have mastered it. This may work with some students, but other students see no need to solve problems they deem as having no relevance to their lives.

What I propose to do.

#1 I will find or create problems that spark students’ interest. Introducing the solving of systems of equations with 2 different cell phone plans – comes to mind.

#2 I will present problems and ask students to collaborate in groups to solve them. This is where I will use pod casting and screen casting. The two different castings can be posted by some means to the internet (and viewed by absent students, too). At some point, when students solve the problem, I will ask them to make (or assist them in making) a pod cast that demonstrates the solving of the problem.

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3 comments:

  1. SamiJanuary 30, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Bill-
    I think using podcasts and screencasts to assign problems and have your students present their answers is a great idea! I can see you and your students having an enjoyable experience with them. And the absent students can still participate. Getting stuck in a rut happens to everyone, but when you can find a way to "spice" things up, its a great moment. Good luck with your new project!

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  2. Denise PleogerFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    What an awesome idea! I like the way you're willing to try something new to "jumpstart" your students' thinking processes. Let us know how it works!

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  3. J. WernerFebruary 2, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Bill,

    Great ideas for incorporating new technologies into your classroom. I love the cell phone plan idea. I think students will be surprised at how much these little devices cost, especially if they don't have the texting plan. :)

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