The study of mathematics is a subject, about which I am passionate, that I desire to share with any student that I encounter. Although I recognize that many of the branches of mathematics can be challenging, learning the content is empowering. There are a significant number of careers and jobs, in various industries, that rely on mathematics and skills related to problem solving, number crunching, etc. Mathematics relies on logic and pattern development, which enables students to build skill sets that can be applied to real world phenomena. In the era of the Read/Write Web, a number of Web-based resources can be used to encourage secondary students to participate in mathematics related activities, which could spark an interest.
Noted below are a couple of Web-based activities that educators can try or in which students can participate to stimulate interest in mathematics.
--Virtual math clubs. These math clubs can be linked to the school or classroom Web sites and or set up via various social media network sites. Typically online or virtual math clubs are constructed at the post-secondary or collegiate level; however, students on the secondary level can take advantage of what they may offer.
--Virtual STEM events. Students who are not able to participate in events outside of the school, may appreciate participating in real-time events, such as guest speakers, via sites such as Google+ Hangouts.
Seeing is believing. Robert Goddard Montessori School in Greenbelt, Maryland just hosted a Virtual Stem Fair to showcase STEM projects completed by their students. Students from all grade levels participated in the event. Although it is not mathematics specific, and applies to STEM, which is mathematics inclusive, this is an event that can engage all students. Please visit http://www1.pgcps.org/communications/press.aspx?id=171984 for additional information.
There are opportunities to expose
our students and increase the potential to produce more mathematicians.
I didn't know about Virtual Clubs for mathematics. What a great idea. Also, I'm interested in thinking about possibilities for Google Hangouts. Have you taken part in any? I signed up for a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that uses Google Hangouts. It is possible to automatically send the resulting video to YouTube to share with anyone not able to take part live.
ReplyDeleteI have said it before, and it they keep making my statement easier to believe- Google is taking over the world. Well, the world of e-communication anyway. The ways in which google products, like this blogger that we are all using. Google+ and their hangouts, allowing multiple parties to chat and video conference for free. Google docs and their ability to work on documents, not only, collaboratively but in cooperation in real time.
ReplyDeleteThe 'fellow' who works for me in the office and I were drafting a letter yesterday, and it was incredibly easy. We started in a Google doc- I shared it with her and we were both able to work on the very same document in real time. It saved us both time and effort in having to save and re-save the same thing so we could both edit the letter.
Classes have been uploaded to YouTube for a long time. These MOOCs are just the next step in an educational revolution started by Apple and there iTunes U. It was started as a place for anyone to get real class footage and projects form anywhere. In reality being able to "take" the class, and get just as much lecture time as the students at the university.
Virtual Math Clubs sound interesting. I'm trying to wrap my head around an idea here. I think (don't know for sure, since I am not the moderator) our math club sort of morphed into a game club. I wonder if they would give the VMC a try, if they could 1) host a Google Hangout or create a Twitter account for this activity and 2) invite the boys from our brother school to join - virtually.
ReplyDeleteToo many ideas and not enough hours and days to follow them all through to fruition. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.