Assessing Meaningful Learning

Overall, I believe that replacing the standardize test and quizzes with assignments that require applying what you have learned is better for this class. Looking back, normal test only see what a student has learned from watching a video, reading a book or paying attention. Getting them to actually explain how they feel about an assignment or express their own opinion on a tool, gives more thought to it instead of simple memorization.  As for using a rubric on a project, it gives students a actual guide as to what is needed. They interpret what is being asked of them and then they make the effort into create the proper needed result. Over the course of the class, when there is a rubric for the project I normally refer back to it to make absolutely sure that I have covered the needed material to receive the most credit possible. Another way to say “I’m getting what I have put work into”; getting credit where credit is due so to speak. With just working with these types of assessment tools, I believe that students need to find the answers themselves in a way of self awareness.


The classroom is a place to learn, it is where trial and error are okay, and expected even, technology and tools like that of the Web 2.0 tools we have discussed throughout the course are excellent ways of teaching students to communicate and express ideas and opinions. Web 2.0 tools also allow students to present questions and answers in different forums. Tools such as Prezi can be used to in many ways such as demonstrate different methods for solving a specific type of mathematical problem, or present a timeline of mathematical history. Podcasting a lecture can allow students to review specific lessons that provides material that they need to focus and improve on. Blogging is excellent for sharing ideas and opinions and the responses one gets from these opinions.

Graphing Calculus starting from Point 0

§111.35. Precalculus, Grade 11

(b)  Introduction.

(1)  In Precalculus, students continue to build on the K-8, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry foundations as they expand their understanding through other mathematical experiences. Students use symbolic reasoning and analytical methods to represent mathematical situations, to express generalizations, and to study mathematical concepts and the relationships among them. Students use functions, equations, and limits as useful tools for expressing generalizations and as means for analyzing and understanding a broad variety of mathematical relationships. Students also use functions as well as symbolic reasoning to represent and connect ideas in geometry, probability, statistics, trigonometry, and calculus and to model physical situations. Students use a variety of representations (concrete, pictorial, numerical, symbolic, graphical, and verbal), tools, and technology (including, but not limited to, calculators with graphing capabilities, data collection devices, and computers) to model functions and equations and solve real-life problems.

(2)  As students do mathematics, they continually use problem-solving, language and communication, connections within and outside mathematics, and reasoning (justification and proof). Students also use multiple representations, technology, applications and modeling, and numerical fluency in problem-solving contexts.

With teaching what would be junior level students in High School, it would be best to keep in mind that they need to develop assessment skills for this course. From the TEKS, I understand that the students need to be able to look at graphs, functions, and diagrams to understand what the question is asking. They need to be able to explain what is going on in the problem. Overall they will need to be taught skills that allow them to analyze the problem and solve thru definition, decryption, calculating domain and range, finding symmetry, and looking for behaviors, continuity, asymptotes, etc. Students would also be required to memorize formulas or recognize which are to be used in a certain cases. Another requirement would be to calculate different equations without the usage of a calculator,  going back to the age of basic math.

In Precalculus, there really isn’t a single concept that is more important than any other. Each concept has be already taught or is being taught for the sake of expanding the knowledge. They will come to understand an variety of representations, tools, and technology to model functions and to solve equations. As the students are exposed to the numerous examples, they will develop small tricks of the trade to solve their problem and develop into problem solvers. They then create a language and forming communication skills to make connections and deduce reasoning. Students can also develop a sense of independence as they learn traits to solve problems without the use of calculators and to simple apply simple math to their work and finding the answer where it is.

Visualizing with Technology

Having been raised with many of these programs and different types of technology that we use on a daily basis, thus it is hard to have much of a negative opinion of technology in the classroom. Although technology is extraordinarily helpful when it comes to visual aids, visual representation, and many different forms of visualization it can also distract students from lesson and prevent the necessary learning that is intended. So although I believe that there are ways that visualizing with technology could actually prevent and deter students from properly learning the necessary information. The simple truth is as much as we use visual learning in technology the consequences and the repercussions of the use of technology are not as noticeable when compared to all of the positives and benefits that the technology could potentially and even currently do provide.  

Visual aids are a significant part of the learning process. Technology has had many ways of enabling students to learn and connect with the information they are learning. Not only has technology allowed for new ways to view visual aids, but also produce and create new visuals of all kinds, using programs such as Paint, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Prezi, Photoshop, and many other programs meant specifically for visual aids and other learning tools. However visual aids are not strictly limited to the visual aspect of learning, videos bring audio into the equation as well as the already present visual stimulations. The combination of audio and visual helps audible learners, visual learners, and those that learn best under the audiovisual learning as well.

Here is your Daily Podcast

In simplified terms podcasting is YouTube mobile without the need for internet connection. Podcasting is an easy way to save movies, tv shows, radio shows, and other various recordings, share them over the web to download onto mobile devices to be viewed and heard at any time anywhere. In a classroom setting this is great especially for disabled students or students that are unable to attend every class. For example some students will miss class due to conferences, sporting events, family emergencies, medical problems and emergencies, etc. and having the option to listen to a podcast in order to keep up with ones assignments and lectures would be highly beneficial, and the ability to re-watch a lecture to slow things down to a better pace or rewind to understand something better would allow students to actively engage with the information that the least understand.

Web 2.0 applications such as Wiki, Social Bookmarking, and Voice Threads are helpful in relaying a message but they also rely on using an internet source. That is one of the primary differences between podcasts and applications. The other applications are better off for working in a group setting when a discussion is needed to be made to finish the task at hand. Podcasting differs because it is more of a one on one working tool. If I were to use podcasting, I would use it when I am on a long bus ride or on an airplane to recap a class lecture or listen to one of my shows, something to pass the time without relying on finding a Wi-Fi signal. Now if I am at home working or viewing something, I have the internet at hand to use the available sources.

Due to one of my uncle’s own personal purchases recently, I have access to all types of Apple products in my house, such iPhones, iPad, iPod, iTouch, MacBook, etc…. Now the uses for these devices all differ depending on what they are, the MacBook would be used for project stuff because of all the editing software it offers, iPad for its larger screen and mobility for gaming. However personally I like to use my iPhone for my online research, gaming, and social media. If there is a need for it, I tend to use my phone in classrooms to do online discussions and to pull up eBooks for the classes. I don’t see a problem with using these tools in classes as long as the usage for them are monitored in a way that doesn’t cause the class to loss its integrity.  

 

 

 

 

"Social Media" Tools

Before today’s video, I always saw wiki as an easy source to compose data of a group of people’s research. As in I could copy and paste someone else’s words and rephrase it so that I could use it. However, I now know that they can be used for better uses like social planning thru the use of the web. One person writes this, the other responds with that. A huge conversation with a written log for reference, wiki the world reference so to speak. With a filter system for bookmarking, this takes away the hours of searching thru all the sites for the ones needed for the task. Also it’s pretty nice to be able to share all of the bookmarks all at once instead of individually sending them to the other party. As for the other tools of Web 2.0, I personally do not see a future need for me personally. But I think that they could become helpful for others if given the time to practice.

In today’s educational system anything that can be linked to social media is a gold mine to a person’s attention span. What Web 2.0 does for today’s system is to put the task of sharing knowledge, not only in the composure, but into the hands of the respondents. Everyone is about expressing their opinion and getting their word out so that they can be heard. The tools like Wiki, Social Bookmarking, and Voice Threads; are areas where you can save something not only for your use but share it to help others that need it as well. A social media back scratching so to speak, the great thing is since I heard about this book marking site I now have a way to filter out all the junk in my favorites tab.

First World Online Problems

I learned that there isn’t anything on the internet that is “fair game” so to speak. To use a song or video you need to either purchase them to use the full piece or following guidelines for small segments. Over time in using different media related devices I have experiences these guidelines and restrictions however annoying and frustrating. Only after reading them did I understand that they are meant to protect everyone like the laws we have with law enforcement. It was helpful to learn that as a teacher you can ask to have a video recorded if it can be used as an education source, now I see why Bill Nye videos were always in the libraries in Dallas. As for Cyber Bullying and Netiquette, I have never experience any of these events but I know of how they can affect others. I always thought it was a one way streak, but now I know that you can start “flame wars” where two parties are posting mean things about each other on the internet. Bad mouthing someone has hit a new high now if people are actually doing that. Luckily I’ve never been a part of it and hopefully it stays that way.

After reading the four articles, it became obvious as to what main problems and woes people see and do every day.  Between Copyright and Fair Use, no one truly takes the time to go thru the necessary requirements to obtain or use anything from the internet. Everyone just knows that if you are going to use it, just don’t post it so you don’t get caught. It’s like sneaking out at night to go hang out with friends that stays between you and those around you. Now Cyber Bullying and Netiquette are a little different but it still applies to what people do in their every day. Here I’m going to quote Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” In translation that means that a person should treat others like how they want to be treated. So if that’s the case then are these bullies are secretly asking for someone to say something back to them about their imperfections? That can’t be the case because they hide behind a computer screen instead of saying it face to face, sheltering themselves from being retorted on. In my opinion, if they cannot say there words while looking you in the eyes then their comments have no grounds of truth and can easily be ignored without a second thought. What you choose to ignore defines what you use the internet and technology for.

 

MAPping out my Search

Before this class I would primarily use Google for research, because within the first six options I would always find what I needed. When I am searching for more recreational topics I must say it is an entirely different thing to use Google, instead for things like pictures or the news I tend to use Bing more so than Google. I like almost anyone else have heard about the “Bing It on Challenge” other than that I did not really know much of anything about search engines; in fact I knew practically only the most basic things about search engines. However I believe that a combination of search engines is always helpful; no search engine will always have perfect results every time you perform a search.

After this particular display I cannot say there is a particular reason to change, at least none that I have found. As I see it there is absolutely no reason to change I think it is clear that I will not change my choice of search engine unless something with far better capabilities that actually proves to be more effective comes along in the future. As a teacher I would prefer my students stick to the search engines that they know the best and are the most comfortable with, and changing is more likely to mess them up than to help them. My opinion should not have any effect on my students’ choice of search engine, especially since they should be familiar with their search engine of choice and be capable of navigating the web and finding the information they need for themselves.

After this MAPping exercise there are numerous ways to use the internet in our favor. With multiple search engines readily available there are many ways for people to easily find the resources they need or seek. In conclusion, I am unchanged in my preferences in how I use the internet. Before this exercise I would use different engines based on the material I needed to find, this does not change my view of search engines overall. They all have same purpose they find what I need. Overall all I have learned from this lesson is that cats are afraid of beards. I did also learn a brief history of my more used engines ie Yahoo, Google, and Bing. In my opinion does this assignment prove its worth in integrating technology into the classroom I say “Yes.”; from this research I did discover more search engines that I may use to test the quality. Finally this MAPping exercise has been useful in finding options, not a lesson.