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.

Wiki space or Google sites

Ooops! In the words of my students, I "totally spaced" writing to my blog. But, better late than never.

I have experimented with Wiki spaces and with Google Sites. I will now have to finish what I started so long ago for this class, CEdO 535.

The uses that I can perceive in using either of this two tools is offering links and sites to students to assist and reinforce their understanding of a certain mathematical topic and/or a means to show them where it is used. It could be a great way to have an "online" grade book of missing assignments and a calendar for upcoming assignments, quizzes and tests. Also, these tools have the capability to initiate maintain 1 to 1 communication with students and/or parents. They can also act as a sound board or critique of how I am doing as a teacher in conveying the messages that I am attempting to pass on.

RSS

Did you ever think you knew quite a bit about the world and how it works only to find out you had no idea? This is where I am now, just looking at my computer.

No idea. I haven't even scratched the surface of what this thing can do!

I am overwhelmed by the subject of RSS. I subscribed to the aggregator, "RSS Owl" and while doing so thought I would just put a short list of interests RSS Owl would bring my way, but wanting to stay informed I chose too many. Do like the book says and start slowly or you will be overwhelmed.

Now, to try and ascertain how I can use this tool in my classes. I have to find a "feed" that is streaming info about new applications of mathematical principles that will interest my students and not be over their heads or mine...a seemingly daunting task.

It's no wonder, newspapers are losing subscribers - with novice journalists everywhere and access to everything published at my fingertips (not having to wait for the paperboy to deliver it).

I only hope I am making sense with the limited knowledge I have about this. The old adage comes to mind, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!"

Launching Twitter Account

I joined the twitter legions, yesterday, Sunday, January 9th. The characteristic of brevity is most appealing. It is a reminder to me to get to the point (if I twittered this blog post, I would be way over the character limit). I have chosen to follow the first seven twitter accounts that had anything to do with math as an interest. I am hoping to find some ideas and /or sites that will help me introduce math topics to my students or keep their interest. I am beginning to see where this could be a valuable resource. I am also looking forward to a reply to one of my first three tweets!

What I will use. It's in there, sorry, but you got to find it.

In the preface of the Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts book, the author stated some feelings that I share about the explosion of technology. He states in one way or another, we, as teachers need to experience and learn how to use the net to further learning before we can show students how to do so. How else can we use these new technologies effectively, unless we do that?

The problem that I have with technology and the internet is too many people are broadcasting and not enough are receiving. This new day and age has everyone “needing” a cell phone. For what? Some means to justify their importance. Are peoples’ schedules really that busy that they need to talk on their cell phone while driving? Thank God, texting is now illegal while driving! I must sound like some old codger, who says back in my day we walked back and forth to school “up hill” both ways. Yet it seems to me, too many people are talking and not enough are listening. I have a saying that I tell students who can’t go through a class without talking at inappropriate times, which is, “If you believe in evolution, the creatures with two mouths and one ear died out, what does that tell you about talking and listening? And if you believe in creationism, the Good Lord created people with 2 ears and 1 mouth... it's the world's simplest math problem - figure it out!” As far as assigning every student to blog about class, I can’t see finding the time to check all of their blogs for substance or meaningful content. I can see where it could be useful if they would blog about something they don’t understand and then a fellow student could reply and clarify their misunderstanding. I do believe in sharing web sites for them to gain more understanding, guidance and showing them where it is applied. Instead of trashing each other or sharing personal information on “Facebook”, I need to show them where the new technologies can help them grow and become more productive. I liken these feelings to those some of the creators of the printing press and television must have had. Which is, these new mediums of communication should be primarily educational, but some will use it to “fleece the masses”.

From this point forward, I will try my darndest to not sound negative (call it a new year's resolution)! Don't get me wrong, I do see a great deal of what the new technologies could become. It is undoubtedly the greatest challenge presented to me. That is, to show my students ways to use these new technologies positively.

530 Week 5

Pecha Kucha

My Pecha Kucha has gone through some evolution. I have come to the realization that some old habits are hard to break. I have so many more slides to show to get my point across. The point is, less is more! There is always room for improvement. I can always write another one. I have to think of entertainers who have the mantra "Always keep your audience wanting more". Furthermore, if the audience is not enjoying my Pecha Kucha, would I really want to subject them to one that is longer than 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Rubrics

What a contradiction to the Pecha Kucha! I will admit my ignorance of Rubrics when I began teaching. Having gone through a proficiency based licensure program, I had no idea what a rubric was when I first got in front of a class. I believe rubrics complicate grading tremendously. I understand why they are used, in that, they supposedly spell out every contingency for a students grade, but in the eyes of this math teacher, they exacerbate something that could be so simple, percentages on tests, quizzes and homework.

Did I cut my own throat here?

Scatterbrained thoughts after Week 4:

See if you can follow all of the tangents I go on. The good thing about it is, if you have to comment on my blog, I’ll give you plenty of different topics from which to choose.

It’s kind of strange, the way I am looking at the world after being in these Stritch classes, especially Digital Storytelling. I find myself being more aware of all the stories that are constantly being told around me…

My wife and I just subscribed to AT&T Uverse. Part of the package that we received includes some premium channels. As of yesterday, we are receiving even more channels as some kind of promo. It’s just what I need, more channels/distractions. I haven’t mentioned that I am a TV junkie. As I do homework, I like to have something on in the background.

Since we have a week off from class, I woke up this morning (Saturday) and thought I could channel surf the 300+ channels now streaming into my home and find at least one worth while thing to watch. I found one of my favorite movies of all time, “Patton” with George C. Scott. As I watched, I thought, here is a great digital story. It may have originally been put to film with analog technology, but as true as I sit here, it is streaming in as “1’s” and “0’s”. During the film, at critical points, there is this recurring music made from what sounds like a marching band or parts thereof. This music gives a “joyous” and “happy” mood when things are going well for Patton and the American Army. The same score is played in the minor or flat notes and yields a “sad” and seemingly “haunting” mood when happenings do not go well. It is a powerful use of repetition and mood enhancement, I thought.

As I was watching some of the college football games today, there was a story the announcers brought up about one of the student athletes being adopted. This was after his father abandoned him and his mother passed away. I wish I had heard the whole story.

It even occurred to me that commercials in between and interrupting programs quite often tell a short story. This had occurred to me before, but never so resounding.

Gotta go! Another story is starting, “The Hurt Locker”.