Grading using a “percentage of points received” approach can be very discouraging for students and may not fairly reflect a student’s abilities. Assigning either a letter grade or a 4.0 scale grade to each problem, then averaging seems more fair and less discouraging to students who have yet to master topics.
Recent Posts
Solving Systems Of Linear Equations
Description of the key concepts, vocabulary, and techniques needed to solve a system of linear equations. Includes graphing, substitution, linear combination (multiplication-addition), and using matrices.
Flipped Classroom: It’s About Timely Formative Feedback
The phrase “Flipped Classroom” is appearing with increasing frequency in publications and blog postings. Yet, it seems to mean different things to different people. Many of the references I see to flipped classrooms are made by people or organizations who have a vested interest in selling goods or services, which probably affects their view of…… Continue reading Flipped Classroom: It’s About Timely Formative Feedback
Projects vs Problems in Math Class
What is the difference between a Problem and a Project? While it is difficult to draw a definitive line that separates one from the other, the attributes of each and their differences as I see them are: Problems Require less student time to complete (usually less than an hour) Focus on a single task, with fewer…… Continue reading Projects vs Problems in Math Class
Linear Equation Activity Ideas
Types of questions or activities that can be used to help students practice modeling linear situations, or assess their understanding of linear models.
Studying to Understand vs Studying to Memorize
“Memorizing” is less effective than “understanding”. Ways to study which improve understanding while reducing the need for memorization.
“Hidden” Learning Objectives for a Linear Equations Problem or Project
A list of “hidden” learning objectives for teachers to choose among when developing a linear equations problem or project.
3 Ways to “Complete the Square”
Explore three variations on how to “Complete the Square” when solving quadratic equations.
Grant Wiggins on Mathematics Education
Grant Wiggins was the keynote speaker last night at the annual “Anja S. Greer Conference on Mathematics, Science and Technology” hosted by Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH. The focus of his talk was mathematics education, and the points that were noteworthy to me included the following: Increasingly, schools and standards bodies are setting their…… Continue reading Grant Wiggins on Mathematics Education
Quadratic Equations: How to Solve Them Algebraically
How to solve a quadratic equation by factoring or completing the square, with exploration of why these approaches work. Exploration of why solution techniques that worked for linear equations do not usually work for quadratic equations.
Peer Instruction Network
I recently came across a start-up organization called the Peer Instruction Network. It sounds like it is seeking to expand on Eric Mazur’s teaching approach, something which would be very interesting to me on the Mathematics side of things. Check out their web site, and sign up to be included in their network if it…… Continue reading Peer Instruction Network
Ten Skills Every Student Should Learn
A recent eSchool News article by Meris Stansbury lists ten skills cited by its readers as being most important for today’s students to acquire: Read Type Write Communicate effectively, and with respect Question Be resourceful Be accountable Know how to learn Think critically Be happy The list is interesting to ponder. I would not argue that any…… Continue reading Ten Skills Every Student Should Learn
Multiplying Polynomials and FFFT!
Multiplying polynomials is easy once you have learned this approach. It works for any polynomials, including monomials, binomials, and trinomials. Exploration of how this is nothing more than a long-winded instance of the distributive property at work.
Advice from Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs spoke at the Stanford Commencement ceremonies in 2005. While his speech lasted only 15 minutes, it contains some wonderful advice – so I encourage you to click on this link to watch it. He will be sorely missed.
Angle Measures
Exploration of ways of measure the size of an angle: fraction of a circle, degrees, or radians. How to convert between differing measures of the same angle. Includes some reasons why 360 degrees is a convenient measure of a full circle.
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