So here we are with a brand new year. As the Borogrovians say "the day is a brand new fish". My observations so far is that I have very good kids. Ok, so keeping everyone on task is like herding cats, but when hasn't that been true for juniors and seniors. Their manners are beautiful - these kids are obviously well brought up and intelligent.
Statistics is going to be fun. We are trying to add an activity each day - so whatever else they do they "do" something every class meeting. I don't know exactly how to do this, but between the three of us teaching this class, we'll be ok.
Janet
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Back To School
So here we are at the end of summer. My great adventure this summer was shattering the top end of my left ulna. I haven't been able to drive since June. I haven't made anything this summer, and I'm only just now able to type easily.
However, school's on its way. I did get my section of stat done for the 1st semester and I'm starting to sort out moodle.
Now all I need is a better story about how I broke my arm.
Janet
However, school's on its way. I did get my section of stat done for the 1st semester and I'm starting to sort out moodle.
Now all I need is a better story about how I broke my arm.
Janet
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
End of the Year
Wow, we're there, almost. I have one more final to give and grade and that's it. My statistics course is in the bag. All the tests are taken, all the grades are in. Precal will be finished by the time I go to bed tonight.
It's been a good year. I've learned a lot about the use of technology in a classroom. I've learned to always leave a walk space behind the desks so I can see what's on their computer screens. I've learned how to use moodle and now I'm working on when to use moodle.
This summer I want to learn about wikis - and start thinking what could be done in statistics with that sort of common communications.
Precal? Now there is a puzzle for technology - how do I teach them good work habits and basic understanding without pencil and paper? I'm beginning to think the answer is to use the technologies for demos, but stay very traditional in approach. Much to think about this summer.
Janet
It's been a good year. I've learned a lot about the use of technology in a classroom. I've learned to always leave a walk space behind the desks so I can see what's on their computer screens. I've learned how to use moodle and now I'm working on when to use moodle.
This summer I want to learn about wikis - and start thinking what could be done in statistics with that sort of common communications.
Precal? Now there is a puzzle for technology - how do I teach them good work habits and basic understanding without pencil and paper? I'm beginning to think the answer is to use the technologies for demos, but stay very traditional in approach. Much to think about this summer.
Janet
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Really Neat Blog on Teaching Math
I've been following a blog from Michigan mathematician who is teaching at Muskegon Community College. She is working on her dissertation on the use of technology in teaching mathematics. As someone with an intelligent classroom who is slightly perplexed about how to use that for precalculus, I'm finding some interesting ideas from her.
http://teachingcollegemath.com/
Janet
http://teachingcollegemath.com/
Janet
Sunday, May 10, 2009
And What Do We Do With PreCalculus
It looks like I'll be teaching precal again next year as well as statistics. For statistics I think we've pretty well integrated the computers in the intelligent classroom. At least we've got a good start at it and we'll add more activities next year.
But what about precalculus? Can we use the computers to help the kids get precalculus down faster/better/more thoroughly? I don't have any answers right now on that one. I still believe in pencil and paper, grind it out, show the steps. And I don't see a place for the virtual manipulative things in precal - it is supposed to be abstract. If it were concrete stuff, it would be plain old algebra.
On the other hand -
- maybe I can set up some sort of lesson with winplot and changing the variables in a sine wave equation. Winplot is easier to get stuff to show up then on the calculator - although we need to do the two together.
- maybe I could finally learn geometer's sketchpad and use it for the trig stuff. A good way to do solving triangles would be helpful.
- could I use the computer for drill on the unit circle - set up something where the kids go in and enter answers on the circle.
- could I use moodle to manage the class - and maybe post the notes (except that my notes are idiosycratic at best and I'd hate to have to rewrite them in tidier form).
So guess what I get to do on my summer vacation.
But what about precalculus? Can we use the computers to help the kids get precalculus down faster/better/more thoroughly? I don't have any answers right now on that one. I still believe in pencil and paper, grind it out, show the steps. And I don't see a place for the virtual manipulative things in precal - it is supposed to be abstract. If it were concrete stuff, it would be plain old algebra.
On the other hand -
- maybe I can set up some sort of lesson with winplot and changing the variables in a sine wave equation. Winplot is easier to get stuff to show up then on the calculator - although we need to do the two together.
- maybe I could finally learn geometer's sketchpad and use it for the trig stuff. A good way to do solving triangles would be helpful.
- could I use the computer for drill on the unit circle - set up something where the kids go in and enter answers on the circle.
- could I use moodle to manage the class - and maybe post the notes (except that my notes are idiosycratic at best and I'd hate to have to rewrite them in tidier form).
So guess what I get to do on my summer vacation.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Signing Up For Summer Classes
We only have 7 more Mondays in the year - and one of them is a Tuesday.
It's that time of year - time to sign up for summer professional development. Since it looks like I'll be teaching grade level statistics again next year - and I want to see that as a lab based class - and taking data is a basic skill, I'm signing up for a class on using the TI CBL/CBR. Not that I have the equipment - but if I see something cool in there I can start seeing about getting the equipment.
I'm also signing up for a course of wikis and collaboration. I'd like to get my stat kids writing more - and working together. I'm wondering if wiki's, with the ability to work from home locations, would be helpful in this. So instead of "do a powerpoint" I could tell them to make a wiki page. Moodle let's you do wiki's (although I'm fuzzy on the details). So maybe there is something here. Guess we'll find out come summer.
7 more Mondays
It's that time of year - time to sign up for summer professional development. Since it looks like I'll be teaching grade level statistics again next year - and I want to see that as a lab based class - and taking data is a basic skill, I'm signing up for a class on using the TI CBL/CBR. Not that I have the equipment - but if I see something cool in there I can start seeing about getting the equipment.
I'm also signing up for a course of wikis and collaboration. I'd like to get my stat kids writing more - and working together. I'm wondering if wiki's, with the ability to work from home locations, would be helpful in this. So instead of "do a powerpoint" I could tell them to make a wiki page. Moodle let's you do wiki's (although I'm fuzzy on the details). So maybe there is something here. Guess we'll find out come summer.
7 more Mondays
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Moodling Away
It is now the half way point for the fifth six weeks and I've now seriously moodled my stat class through 3 cycles. So what do I think of moodle?
I don't like:
1. The work of getting questions into moodle form. This would be so much easier if it would just pick up copy and paste from word and not have to upload graphics separately.
2. Worrying that my kids aren't learning thinking skills - the world does not give us multiple choice problems - although they are easier to grade
3. Worrying my kids aren't learning the organizational skills for math. Problems have to be laid out in an organized manner - the method is as important as the answer - that's why I won't use moodle for PreCal.
I like:
1. Almost instanteous grading
2. Not having to read handwriting for essay or free response questions
3. Having material available to kids all the time (nice when we don't have a book)
4. Not having tons of paper to handle.
5. Having reviews that self-correct and point to the right answer
Things I want to do next year:
1. Figure out how to do "lessons" to guide kids through concepts.
2. Use moodle for class management in precal (but I can't see how to do the class on moodle - you have to see the homework there).
Things I worry about:
1. Kids who don't have computers at home
2. Kids who really need a book (ok, we wouldn't have books for stat anyway)
3. Kids with vision problems such as dyslexia - I could sure use some help on this one.
On balence, I'll do moodle again next year with stat - and I may add some of the class management for precal. I like the program, it's easy to use and usually I can find what I need for help. And I must admit, I wish I could do my precal final online.
Janet
I don't like:
1. The work of getting questions into moodle form. This would be so much easier if it would just pick up copy and paste from word and not have to upload graphics separately.
2. Worrying that my kids aren't learning thinking skills - the world does not give us multiple choice problems - although they are easier to grade
3. Worrying my kids aren't learning the organizational skills for math. Problems have to be laid out in an organized manner - the method is as important as the answer - that's why I won't use moodle for PreCal.
I like:
1. Almost instanteous grading
2. Not having to read handwriting for essay or free response questions
3. Having material available to kids all the time (nice when we don't have a book)
4. Not having tons of paper to handle.
5. Having reviews that self-correct and point to the right answer
Things I want to do next year:
1. Figure out how to do "lessons" to guide kids through concepts.
2. Use moodle for class management in precal (but I can't see how to do the class on moodle - you have to see the homework there).
Things I worry about:
1. Kids who don't have computers at home
2. Kids who really need a book (ok, we wouldn't have books for stat anyway)
3. Kids with vision problems such as dyslexia - I could sure use some help on this one.
On balence, I'll do moodle again next year with stat - and I may add some of the class management for precal. I like the program, it's easy to use and usually I can find what I need for help. And I must admit, I wish I could do my precal final online.
Janet
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