Monthly Archives: June 2023

Market Math: Spotlighting Math and Technology in a Farmers’ Market

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Summary of SyMETRI meeting May 31st, 2023 by Qiaochu Xu

Presenter/Guest Speaker: Christina Reis from the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, UBC
Date: May 31st, 2023
Host: Dr. Cynthia Nicol

In the SyMETRI meeting on May 31st, 2023,

Christina Reis shared her capstone project which is an amazing website called Market Math – it’s interdisciplinary and centred around a school farmer’s market. Her project explores teaching about a farmer’s market and integrating technology in education.

Christina began by answering why it’s important to teach about a farmer’s market and integrate technology. She explained that teaching about a farmer’s market offers a comprehensive educational approach that combines various subjects such as mathematics, agriculture, financial literacy, and nutritional awareness. By connecting students with real-world contexts and their local environments, they can actively engage with relevant content and gain a deeper understanding of mathematics. Moreover, incorporating technology into the farmer’s market experience, whether by using virtual platforms or augmented reality, presents exciting opportunities to streamline processes, empower local producers, and enrich the educational experience by blending traditional practices with innovative technological approaches.

Christina’s research is centred on investigating how technology, including simulations and technology-based platforms, can enrich and support each stage of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (ELC) in the setting of a Middle School farmers’ market. However, it is important for educators to be aware of potential challenges associated with technology, such as the need for proper training, the possibility of student distractions, and the potential for disconnection from the natural environment. By addressing these challenges, educators can effectively harness the power of technology to enhance the experiential learning process.

Christina’s project is based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) and the Experiential Learning Cycle (ELC). ELT emphasizes the importance of experience in knowledge formation and the learning process. ELT highlights the significance of experience in shaping and evolving knowledge, emphasizing the learning process and the role of practice. The Experiential Learning Cycle (ELC) comprises four essential components: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. These components enable hands-on learning experiences and facilitate the connection between theoretical concepts taught in the classroom and their real-world application.

As education continues to evolve, the integration of technology can enhance the various components of experiential learning and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical implementation. Christina highlighted the blending of math and technology, and she has prepared a series of multiple lesson parts that will explore mathematical concepts in depth. Here are some examples from her website:

Budgeting and Financial Literacy

Series Duration:  4  Sessions  ||   Grade Level: 6-8

BIG IDEA: Understand how planning and estimating the raw ingredients of a product can minimize waste and unnecessary costs, therefore maximizing profit and revenue.

Garden Beds, Grids & Planting

Series Duration:  2  Sessions   ||   Grade Level: 5-6

BIG IDEA: Understanding there may be more than one solution possible but some may be more favourable depending on the parameters and limitations.

Beeswax Wraps

Series duration:  3  Sessions   ||   Grade Level: 6-8

BIG IDEA: Planning ahead and evaluating solutions are essential to maximizing raw materials and minimizing waste for product goods.

Wooden Board Nail String Art

Series duration:  2- 3  Sessions   ||   Grade Level: 6-8

BIG IDEA:  Significant and possibly challenging points and transitions in our personal stories can create a unique and beautiful piece when viewed from afar.

Here are some slides from her presentation:

Bio

Christina currently is the Coordinator of Educational Technology at Meadowridge School in Maple Ridge, BC. In past years, She taught MYP Math, Science, and DP Biology, and coached girls volleyball both in school and on club teams.

Science Learning Through YouTube Comments on Science Videos

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Summary of SyMETRI meeting May 24th, 2023 by Qiaochu Xu

Presenter/Guest Speaker: Conan Chung Man Lee from the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, UBC
Date: May 24th, 2023
Host: Dr. Cynthia Nicol

In the SyMETRI meeting on May 24th, 2023,

Conan presented his MA thesis to SyMETRI members, focusing on science learning through YouTube comments on science videos. Conan highlighted the declining interest in science and the transformative learning approaches that have given rise to innovative forms of science education in the 21st century. Traditionally, movies have been valuable tools in science education, but a recent trend has emerged on video sharing and social media platforms, where movies are embedded within science videos to enhance the learning experience. YouTube, as the dominant video sharing platform, features numerous science videos that integrate entertainment and education by incorporating movies into their content.

The main objective of Conan’s study was to explore the potential impact of embedding movies in science videos on the learning process, as well as examine how the post-video comments on these videos could either facilitate or reflect science learning. To achieve this, Conan employed the grounded theory methodology. Through qualitative content analysis, he compared the types and characteristics of comments, as well as identified the learning opportunities and challenges they presented. He compared the comments from two science videos: one that embedded a movie and one that did not. The first video he investigated was from the Because Science (BS) channel, which merged the Harry Potter universe with the physics concept of quantum tunnelling. The second video belonged to the Up and Atom (UA) channel and explained the same concept using a traditional teaching approach.

By closely examining in total of 990 comments, Conan aimed to identify any patterns or distinctive characteristics that could shed light on the learning experience facilitated by these videos. He uncovered insights into how movies incorporated into science videos can enhance or influence the learning process, as well as how viewers’ engagement in the form of comments might contribute to their science learning journey.

The findings indicate that comments on the UA video were more formal and focused on the specific scientific concept, whereas comments on the BS video were more casual and diverse, showing greater engagement with the science and video topic in general. While comments on conventional science videos can create an effective space for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning, they may also present challenges, such as the potential spread of misinformation due to a lack of knowledge justification. On the other hand, embedding movies offers unique learning opportunities within the comments section, including critical and creative thinking.

The challenges surrounding misinformation in the comments section of science videos resonated strongly with SyMETRI members. By encouraging students to cultivate a critical mindset when engaging with comments, educators can foster meaningful and thought-provoking discussions in the classroom. One of the SyMETRI members also talked about the value of media literacy, which can be extended to curriculum connections, specifically addressing the pressing issues of climate and nature emergency and the propagation of disinformation by climate change deniers. Integrating media literacy into the curriculum equips students with the essential skills to critically evaluate sources, discern reliable information from misinformation, and navigate the complexities of societal and environmental challenges with confidence and clarity.

Here are some slides from Conan’s presentation:

Bio

Conan Chung Man Lee recently graduated from the MA program in Science Education. He is passionate about science education and has been creating free educational content available on YouTube.