I chose to explore Springer Realtime for this activity. I started searching by typing in ‘Mathematics’ and received over 269 publications. The title such as A History of Chinese Mathematics or Ancient Indian Leaps into Mathematics sound very interesting and could be useful for a project or Math fair for my students. However, most of the […]
Continue reading Activity 2: Math Makes Sense with Technology! Posted in: Week 12: Social Analytics Describe a problem in teaching/learning/performance. One of the problems I face when I teach Math is that there are not enough resources available out there for students to study in order to improve their fundamental Math skills and problem-solving skills. For example, some of my students still have difficulty adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers/fractions/decimals. However, […]
Continue reading [DAY 3] Math Master Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles
Great ideas!
I’m glad you enjoyed the assignment. You have an interesting concept. I love the idea of educators creating and sharing questions to enhance and grow your database.
What do you think of minimizing translation issues by focusing on using icons and imagery in your problems instead of words? Take a look at Robert Horn’s work, or think about “wordless instructions” like those used by Ikea or in emergency exit brochures for aircraft.
How might you use the computer in the mobile itself to generate questions? It’s probably not necessary to create all the individual questions yourself. Instead you could create heuristics, and the mobile would use the heuristics to generate infinite questions based on those rule sets. THat way you wouldn’t even have to use a lot of data transfer or updates or translation.
Social networking could be used for collaboration to solve problems together. What about an app that requires collaboration to solve math problems? You can see each other working on the problems… or you share a mobile to work a problem out.
I guess another issue for me is why people have trouble with math. Do they have a breakdown in conceptual understanding? How might they use the real world to help them understand math problems? A mobile could scaffold them through using real items or conducting real activities that illustrate the math concepts. To some extent, the Khan Academy does this in their videos.
Thank you for the questions, David.
“What do you think of minimizing translation issues by focusing on using icons and imagery in your problems instead of words?”
It’s a good idea that we can minimize translation issues by using icons and images instead of words. However, as the math curriculum and new textbooks that have changed over the last 2 years are focusing on mathematical literacy these days, students still need to learn the ways to translate word problems into diagrams and mathematical sentences. I’ve seen so many kids who can solve a word problem that includes a diagram, but not the one without a diagram. Although I give the same word problem to the students, one with a diagram and one without it, the scores between the two are very different. Many students still need to work on solving word problems.
“How might you use the computer in the mobile itself to generate questions?”
The collection of questions in a question bank is kind of like creating heuristics. Same formatted question with different numbers each time it’s generated.
One of my issues with math is how to make a connection between the real world situations and conceptual understanding in math. I’ve applied some real world situations for teaching. For instance, I once used the Tower of Piza to teach trigonometry in Math 9. I briefly went over the history of the Tower of Piza and told students to find as many angles as possible using sine, cosine, and tangent ratios. Another example is that I sent my AWM (Apprenticeship & Workplace Math) 10 students to a convenience store and ask them to pick up things they want to purchase and calculate HST, sale price, and discount.
Deb
Is there a market for this technology within education? iPad has been targeted for people who use eBook readers such as Kindle. However, it is offering them more than just an eBook reader. These days, I can see that iPad is prevalently used for educational purposes, especially in elementary. Schools receive grants to implement the […]
Continue reading Discussion # 2: Why iPad? Why Not Netbook? Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
Thank-you Kim for your comprehensive list of benefits and ways to use the iPad. You have summed up our week’s presentation very nicely. I have a friend who uses a netbook and loves it. He did not buy a ipad on purpose for the reasons that you listed. You have illustrated well the contrast between the ipad and netbook and I would also add that some people just prefer not to buy Apple products. As each of these products evolve, and the price becomes cheaper, I would venture that you will see more competition in this market.I do not think we have seen the last version of the ipad (can’t wait for ipad 50!) so the capability and functionality and uses in the classroom will just grow, adding more to the list you have provided us. The challenges come with different devices and software, how does the education manage the personal preferences that the students bring to class.
Thank you, Deb.
I agree with you that the use of iPad in the classroom will grow.
I heard that there were over 3 million iPad units sold in just 80 days after launch last year. So far this year, there are more than 25 million units sold. The number keeps increasing.
What features of the iPad attract people so much that almost everyone around me is eager to have one? It could be the style, design, functionality, free useful apps, and portability. If someone asks me what I would prefer to purchase between the iPad and the netbook, I’d say the former. It’s worth having one.
Deb
Kim,
Very comprehensive analysis of the iPad. This information is very useful tome since I do not own an iPad. I learnt a lot from your post. My point of contention though is that a netbook or a laptop is much cheaper and can do the same functions as an iPad, so why invest in a iPad? In my country Jamaica, due to the economic situation, my students would mostly opt to purchase the netbook over the iPad mainly because of the cost and since it can do the same things as the iPad.
Keisha
Thank you, Keisha.
You are right that both the netbook and the iPad have similar functions. If it was solely for educational purposes, and a school district or a school couldn’t afford to purchase iPads, I’d recommend them to purchase netbooks.
However, if it was for my own use, then I’d purchase an iPad. On a daily basis, I use my iPhone more than my netbook or computer. The only thing that I find difficult when using the iPhone is that the size of the screen is too small. Also, there are many cool iPad apps such as WordPress, Facebook, Docs To Go, etc. that you can use without going on the Internet. You can’t use these apps on the netbook. Apple also offers a 10% discount if their product is used for educational purposes.
Deb
Hello Everyone, My name is Doug Smith and I’m entering my second year into the MET program. I’m a teacher-on-call (ie substitute teacher) in Vancouver, focusing on math science and physics. Prior to teaching I was a mechanical engineer for 15 years. Partly due to my background, I’d like to develop and grow some skills […]
Continue reading Blogging from Vancouver Posted in: Week 01: Introductions
Good luck on your event! I am envious of your ambition in this race! And I would love to hear about your Playbook experience…I am a blackberry user surrounded by iPhones and iPad, but have quite an affinity for the Playbook despite the derision of the Apple users…am I crazy for wanting one over the iPad??
Not crazy at all, especially if you want a mobile device or something that is smaller. Only recommended for people with Blackberry phones though, but that may change in the next few weeks with an OS update. Otherwise, frankly, tablets all seem to behave relatively the same (I’m testing out an HP Touchpad right now). They have decent web browsers, apps for reading books, calendars, etc. Ask anyone with a tablet what apps they use the most, and you’ll see that most people would do okay with any platform.
Hey! Best of luck in the ride, Doug. You’ll be riding right past us 😎 Do you tether your Playbook to your phone’s data plan?
I tether it all the time, the Blackberry Bridge is always connected. I have my email, contacts, calendar synced and can use the internet wherever there is a cell signal. I imagine most/all tablets have equally accessible tether options (I hope!).
Doug,
All the best with your riding adventure. Good luck with your MET course when you return.
Good luck on your race!
Hi Doug, I think we have met in one of the courses I have taken in this programme. I am happy to be in the same class with you. I am mathematics and physics teacher who I think that this programme will help me to be more marketable my profession.
Hi Conroy, you’re right. I think we took 512 together?
I couldn’t find your introduction for a while, then I realized that it was posted under “uncategorized”. I was trying to figure out who “hall” was.
Have a good course!
Hi Doug,
I see our UBC Elearning website in your Playbook pic. Did you open the website using Safari or Internet Explorer? I’ve tried opening the website on my iPhone as I’m always carrying my mobile device with me just like you. It’s very convenient and efficient, isn’t it? I’m also amazed that many places (e.g. mall, retaurant, bank, etc.) offer free WiFi these days.
Nice meeting you and looking forward to working with you. 🙂
Deb
Before you publish your posting, please make sure that you select a category (eg. Introductions) as well as assign some meaningful tags (keywords).
hall 12:05 pm on November 25, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Deb,
As a mathematics teacher myself I found your post to be very useful and suitable to improve the teaching of mathematics Jamaica. I had also used Springer Realtime to search for literatures on mathematics and Physics. But I did not think of type in mathematics education. I have been using simulations provided by Phet.com and Walter-Fendt.com as a way to create interest among my students. Therefore I will explore Mathematics Education and Technology-Rethinking publication as soon I have completed my assignments for this course.
Deb Kim 2:33 pm on November 25, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I like the idea of using simulations provided by Phet.com and Walter-Fendt.com. To tell you the truth, I haven’t heard about those websites so I’ll explore them. I’m sure I can find interesting things for my students as well. Thank you for the websites and ideas!
Deb