1) Begin the lesson with a spreadsheet for each student. Each sheet will have the empty spaces that match up a bowling score sheet. Then I will show the students on the board how to calculate their scores.
-# of pins.
-Two balls per turn.
-Strikes.
-Spares.
-10th frame.
After a short lecture, I will ask them a few questions to check for understanding.
-What do you think is the highest score possible?
-The lowest?
-What happens if you get multiple strikes in a row?
-Multiple spares?
-How many balls do you get on the 10th frame?
2) Bowl!!!
3) Check the calculations, then post their scores :)
To demo this lesson, I worked with Jacob, Taylor, and Jacquee. We copied our data into excel and then interpreted different graphs from their. I would use excel if in an environment that had computers, and was a high school setting. Otherwise I think this activity would work best with middle school age students and paper score sheets. You could even convert it to a P.E. setting by using real bowling pins in the gym. Collecting their own data will give them a real connection to the numbers instead of just trying to do countless math practice problems with no real world context. This would be a great way to make math fun!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Platformer Games
Platformer games such as Donkey Kong are named for the platforms that the characters have to jump on throughout the game. They require the gamer to use quick thinking and reflexes. Platformer games tend to be quite tough to complete, and you may have to do levels multiple times before you level up. This helps students with repetition and will teach them to learn from their mistakes. If they keep making the same mistake, they will never pass the level. Overall they are a fun way to mentally engage students and teach them life skills (such as learning from your mistakes). Platformer games may be thought of as relics from a long lost childhood, but they still exist in ever growing forms. While searching the App store, I found many free Platformer games. My current favorite is Super Bird, which is in a jungle setting. Technology is ever-changing, and with that the game world grows as well. The arcade is no longer a place, but a device that travels around with you everywhere you go. Touch devices have changed games, though these standard Platformer games have yet to disappear.
Assistive Technology
There are three different kinds of technology used in these videos. One for a girl with Cerebral Palsy, another for a boy who was visually impaired, and the last for a high school boy who did not have good use of his arms and legs.
The girl, Elle, used a Dynavox. This machine uses a censor on her forehead to connect to an electronic screen. It works similarly to a Wii remote and the T.V. sensor. She could then look at pictures and put together sentences by selecting multiple pictures. It does take some time, but it is amazing to have a form of communication for people who have not had that chance before. They can show that they are intelligent, and they can participate in class activities and school. This technology helps show that even severe physical disorders do not imply that the person is also mentally incapable. The Dynavox helps even the playing field of learning.
In the second video, Mason used a braille typewriter. Mason a six year old boy who has blindness in one eye, and severely lowered vision in the other. He can see large print, but braille is something that will serve him better in the future. His typewriter has a button per finger, and different combinations make certain letters. When he types a letter, the typewriter says the letter back to him so he knows what he typed. This allows Mason to take notes and do writing assignments along with the class. He also enjoys using the SmartBoard, which has large enough font that he can participate in interactive lessons through this device. His favorite at home learning tool is the iPad, which also has a large font in a variety of applications that will help teach him how to read and spell.
The last video features a high school student named Lukas. Lukas is in marching band, concert band, and jazz band. Lukas also has a physical disorder that has left him with limbs that do not function properly. He does not have the strength to push in the pegs of a normal instrument, so one has been modified for him with a joystick that attaches to his wheelchair. The joystick controls which notes he plays, while he blows into the instrument. Unfortunately, this instrument was stolen from him. The community then decided to gather together, and they raised another $4,000 dollars to modify a new instrument for Lukas so he could keep doing what he loves. Lukas wants to become a musician. New technology such as this is allowing physically impaired students to reach new heights and chase their dreams.
The girl, Elle, used a Dynavox. This machine uses a censor on her forehead to connect to an electronic screen. It works similarly to a Wii remote and the T.V. sensor. She could then look at pictures and put together sentences by selecting multiple pictures. It does take some time, but it is amazing to have a form of communication for people who have not had that chance before. They can show that they are intelligent, and they can participate in class activities and school. This technology helps show that even severe physical disorders do not imply that the person is also mentally incapable. The Dynavox helps even the playing field of learning.
In the second video, Mason used a braille typewriter. Mason a six year old boy who has blindness in one eye, and severely lowered vision in the other. He can see large print, but braille is something that will serve him better in the future. His typewriter has a button per finger, and different combinations make certain letters. When he types a letter, the typewriter says the letter back to him so he knows what he typed. This allows Mason to take notes and do writing assignments along with the class. He also enjoys using the SmartBoard, which has large enough font that he can participate in interactive lessons through this device. His favorite at home learning tool is the iPad, which also has a large font in a variety of applications that will help teach him how to read and spell.
The last video features a high school student named Lukas. Lukas is in marching band, concert band, and jazz band. Lukas also has a physical disorder that has left him with limbs that do not function properly. He does not have the strength to push in the pegs of a normal instrument, so one has been modified for him with a joystick that attaches to his wheelchair. The joystick controls which notes he plays, while he blows into the instrument. Unfortunately, this instrument was stolen from him. The community then decided to gather together, and they raised another $4,000 dollars to modify a new instrument for Lukas so he could keep doing what he loves. Lukas wants to become a musician. New technology such as this is allowing physically impaired students to reach new heights and chase their dreams.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Bowling with Spreadsheets
Our group tested whether or not Wii Bowling is random, or whether it takes some skill to win. We had four players and split into two groups, the control which bowled normally and the handicap group which bowled backwards. We then played one round of bowling and recorded how many pins we knocked down for the first roll each round.
Hypothesis: The control group will perform better than the group with a self-inflicted handicap.
Our Test:
-Control: normal bowling
-Test Group: backwards bowling
The control group did perform better on average and per person than the test group. The test group frequently "dropped" the ball because it is difficult to swing backwards. Their overall improvement throughout the game was much greater than the control group though, showing that the game is not just random and that it can be learned and therefore improved upon.
Hypothesis: The control group will perform better than the group with a self-inflicted handicap.
Our Test:
-Control: normal bowling
-Test Group: backwards bowling
The control group did perform better on average and per person than the test group. The test group frequently "dropped" the ball because it is difficult to swing backwards. Their overall improvement throughout the game was much greater than the control group though, showing that the game is not just random and that it can be learned and therefore improved upon.
Controller Free Gaming
The Xbox Kinect and Nintendo Wii have created new gaming environments that didn't previously exist with controllers. You stand in front of the TV and the game has a sensor that will pick up you and your body movements. As they exist right now, these games are not super precise at picking up your subtle movements. With further development though, they may become attuned to every little movement, and know which ones to pick up. This could be used to teach motor skills that students have not yet acquired, or to promote friendship and teamwork.
The touch screen devices such as the ipad provide a different learning experience as well. You can interact with books, use your finger to solve complex math, practice flash cards, or even take notes while recording a lecture. These devices have combined a number of previous devices such as the calculator and tape recorder, and made them into something that is compact and has more uses than one device has ever had alone.
The touch screen devices such as the ipad provide a different learning experience as well. You can interact with books, use your finger to solve complex math, practice flash cards, or even take notes while recording a lecture. These devices have combined a number of previous devices such as the calculator and tape recorder, and made them into something that is compact and has more uses than one device has ever had alone.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Socrative
This application allows your students to take quizzes through a mobile device or computer while in a virtual classroom. The quizzes can be taken while in an actual classroom setting, or can be designed to work as an at home quiz. It offers multiple choice or short answer, and you can decide to put in a correct answer and/or explanation.
I have used this before on the student side in my German class. My teacher uses it as a short answer quiz, and displays the answers on the projector as we take the quiz. She has made it into an interactive exercise rather than a personal quiz. I like that it is so adaptable to whatever you want to do in or outside of the classroom. I designed mine with a variety of questions that tested knowledge and opinion, and worked with a sample group of students that ranged from ages 11 to 39. My German instructor uses the teacher based quiz for her classroom activities, but if this was assigned as an at home quiz, I would use the student paced.
My concern would be that they would get off task with an electronic device in front of them while in class. While it works for my German teacher in a college setting, it would be a different world trying to get middle or high school students to stay on task. If the teacher commands enough respect though (not the tyrant type, but the loved and respected type), they may be able to motivate students to do well because this type of quizzing uses cool technology.
Overall I am excited to test this application out in my classroom. It may not be the best for strict mathematical questions, but using it for one question a day they need to complete as an "exit ticket" would be a fun way to engage them in what we were learning that day.
I have used this before on the student side in my German class. My teacher uses it as a short answer quiz, and displays the answers on the projector as we take the quiz. She has made it into an interactive exercise rather than a personal quiz. I like that it is so adaptable to whatever you want to do in or outside of the classroom. I designed mine with a variety of questions that tested knowledge and opinion, and worked with a sample group of students that ranged from ages 11 to 39. My German instructor uses the teacher based quiz for her classroom activities, but if this was assigned as an at home quiz, I would use the student paced.
My concern would be that they would get off task with an electronic device in front of them while in class. While it works for my German teacher in a college setting, it would be a different world trying to get middle or high school students to stay on task. If the teacher commands enough respect though (not the tyrant type, but the loved and respected type), they may be able to motivate students to do well because this type of quizzing uses cool technology.
Overall I am excited to test this application out in my classroom. It may not be the best for strict mathematical questions, but using it for one question a day they need to complete as an "exit ticket" would be a fun way to engage them in what we were learning that day.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Classroom Visions
Thinking about what your goals are is a great idea that is often overlooked. We usually dive straight in and then find ourselves drowning in a world that we haven't been in for a decade. Middle school is a crazy time for students with all of the hormone filled rooms. It is a teacher's job to direct their attention to the material they need to learn. My goal is to inspire children by teaching them that they can do math. I want to give them the self confidence that tells them they can succeed.
I want my classroom to be a place that children are excited to enter. I prefer chalkboards, although I can deal with a whiteboard if that is whats offered. Chalkboards offer not only the satisfying smell of chalk-dust instead of toxic marker smell, but they also make fun squeaky noises while you write. I plan to have a large stash of chalk in all sorts of colors so I can organize the notes that I write on the board by color coating them. The colors are also so that I can write problems on the board in one color, and students can come up in small groups or individually to solve them in a different color. The small details count to me :)
The desks will be facing forward most days so when I'm chatting students don't have to crane their neck to see what I write up on the board. When we do group work, we may shuffle the desks into groups. It will hopefully be faster to have the students each turn their desks than having me move through the classroom in between classes trying to straighten all the rows. Group work was never my favorite or strong suit as a student, but after participating in it in a math setting I realize that it can be quite beneficial. Students can teach each other, and even the "smartest" student may be taught a thing or two by the "slower" student in their group.
Grades will be posted by the door for all students, with their I.D. numbers instead of their names. This allows them to compete without feeling put down by their peers if they aren't at the top of the class. Also cool math things like a fun clock with equations and pi will be posted around the room, along with student work as each year progresses. Projects will be based on real world ideas and they are going to be student driven. I will approve them, but with the only criteria being that they come up with a tangible finished project that will show a mathematical concept. The students can then keep their projects or choose to display them in the classroom
My classroom will not be just my classroom, it will be a place that caters to all the students who decide to poke their head inside. It will be open before, after, and during school hours. There will be a study corner with couches and coffee for those who choose to spend their free time doing homework, or just taking a lunch break with friends. I hope students will feel free to come to me with their dilemmas so that I can offer some post-hormonal knowledge. Overall, I hope that my students will learn lots about math, but the life skills and friendships they develop while under my care are the most important things that school can teach. Students will create, and not only learn math, but understand and enjoy it.
I want my classroom to be a place that children are excited to enter. I prefer chalkboards, although I can deal with a whiteboard if that is whats offered. Chalkboards offer not only the satisfying smell of chalk-dust instead of toxic marker smell, but they also make fun squeaky noises while you write. I plan to have a large stash of chalk in all sorts of colors so I can organize the notes that I write on the board by color coating them. The colors are also so that I can write problems on the board in one color, and students can come up in small groups or individually to solve them in a different color. The small details count to me :)
The desks will be facing forward most days so when I'm chatting students don't have to crane their neck to see what I write up on the board. When we do group work, we may shuffle the desks into groups. It will hopefully be faster to have the students each turn their desks than having me move through the classroom in between classes trying to straighten all the rows. Group work was never my favorite or strong suit as a student, but after participating in it in a math setting I realize that it can be quite beneficial. Students can teach each other, and even the "smartest" student may be taught a thing or two by the "slower" student in their group.
Grades will be posted by the door for all students, with their I.D. numbers instead of their names. This allows them to compete without feeling put down by their peers if they aren't at the top of the class. Also cool math things like a fun clock with equations and pi will be posted around the room, along with student work as each year progresses. Projects will be based on real world ideas and they are going to be student driven. I will approve them, but with the only criteria being that they come up with a tangible finished project that will show a mathematical concept. The students can then keep their projects or choose to display them in the classroom
My classroom will not be just my classroom, it will be a place that caters to all the students who decide to poke their head inside. It will be open before, after, and during school hours. There will be a study corner with couches and coffee for those who choose to spend their free time doing homework, or just taking a lunch break with friends. I hope students will feel free to come to me with their dilemmas so that I can offer some post-hormonal knowledge. Overall, I hope that my students will learn lots about math, but the life skills and friendships they develop while under my care are the most important things that school can teach. Students will create, and not only learn math, but understand and enjoy it.
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