A great resource and inspiration for learning and teaching.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Gaining An Academic Edge with the Web
The Wall Street Journal mentions these on-line learning tools in this article about the wave of the future:
http://funbasedlearning.com/ Algebra and Chem
www.dreambox.com Math for K,1,2
www.indianmathonline.com Math for Grades 1- 10
www.brightstorm.com High School HW Help
http://funbasedlearning.com/ Algebra and Chem
www.dreambox.com Math for K,1,2
www.indianmathonline.com Math for Grades 1- 10
www.brightstorm.com High School HW Help
Thursday, July 23, 2009
How To Say Really Big Numbers
Almost but not quite infinity
The New York Times featured a story about VISA bills gone awry. The young woman put this # into Google after typing in
How to Say Really Big Numbers which likely brought her to:
http://www.mathcats.com/explore/reallybignumbers.html
twenty-three quadrillion, one hundred forty-eight trillion, eight hundred fifty-five billion, three hundred eight million, one hundred eighty-four thousand, five hundred
Almost but not quite infinity ;)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Learning on the Computer
How will technology (such as Dimension M's middle school Math video games http://www.dimensionm.com/) blend with traditional instruction for the School of the Future?
This article focuses on the School of One that custom-tailors lessons to each student...perhaps this is the wave of the future -- individualized learning mixed with on-line learning.
This article focuses on the School of One that custom-tailors lessons to each student...perhaps this is the wave of the future -- individualized learning mixed with on-line learning.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
FASTTMATH develops automaticity
Because students, teachers and curricula spend time on 'understanding' the operations, there is far less school time spent on memorization. Automaticity with Math facts develops fluency, skills, confidence and a positive attitude toward Math.
Yesterday, Steven demoed FASTTMATH and showed off its features to a Dad with two elementary age kids.
The Dad was wowed -- he's placing his order today.
Yesterday, Steven demoed FASTTMATH and showed off its features to a Dad with two elementary age kids.
The Dad was wowed -- he's placing his order today.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
0 = 40?? Passing with a 7
Focusing on learning and effort reduces the focus on grades
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article1014081.ece
A Florida county is thinking of making 40 the lowest possible grade even if the student does not hand in the work.
"How it would work
The Hernando County School District is considering changes to its grading policy at the elementary school level that would get rid of zeroes and create a minimum F score. Here's how it would work:
• A student who does not turn in an assignment or test would receive a 40 percent.
• A student who turns in a test or assignment and scores, say, a 30 percent would get a 49.30 percent in the gradebook. Adding the actual score after the decimal point is a way for teachers to keep track of what the grade would have been if not for the minimum F policy. "
In Engineering school, due to low averages, a 7 out of 100 on an exam could be a passing grade. Starting at 40 would have more than quintupled some scores on exams we actually took ;)
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article1014081.ece
A Florida county is thinking of making 40 the lowest possible grade even if the student does not hand in the work.
"How it would work
The Hernando County School District is considering changes to its grading policy at the elementary school level that would get rid of zeroes and create a minimum F score. Here's how it would work:
• A student who does not turn in an assignment or test would receive a 40 percent.
• A student who turns in a test or assignment and scores, say, a 30 percent would get a 49.30 percent in the gradebook. Adding the actual score after the decimal point is a way for teachers to keep track of what the grade would have been if not for the minimum F policy. "
In Engineering school, due to low averages, a 7 out of 100 on an exam could be a passing grade. Starting at 40 would have more than quintupled some scores on exams we actually took ;)
Friday, July 10, 2009
The New SAT Book from the College Board
The new SAT book will be out on July 21st with 3 recently administered tests ;)
It also includes a chapter on the PSAT.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Afterschooling and Beforeschooling
Afterschooling -- what a great word to describe the supplementation of schooled students!!
Disclosure: Sometimes the extra work is "beforeschooling" as we do 15 minutes (of the daily one hour of extra Reading and Math) before the school bus comes ;)
Disclosure: Sometimes the extra work is "beforeschooling" as we do 15 minutes (of the daily one hour of extra Reading and Math) before the school bus comes ;)
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Success Magazine: Focus on Improvement
The August 2009 Success magazine has an inspiring and uplifting article ("If You Don't Fall, You Aren't Getting Better") by publisher Darren Hardy.
Mistakes can be terrific learning opportunities. Math questions often have only one correct answer and can provide practice in admitting and correcting errors. Mr. Hardy expressed this very well -- "they were markers on the journey toward greatness and should be appreciated, even celebrated."
The next time I hear, "When are we ever going to use this Math?", my answer will incorporate Mr. Hardy's words: "Correcting Math mistakes builds more than Math knowledge and skills -- this improvement process instills character traits that help people break through to a new level of academic, professional and/or personal success."
Mistakes can be terrific learning opportunities. Math questions often have only one correct answer and can provide practice in admitting and correcting errors. Mr. Hardy expressed this very well -- "they were markers on the journey toward greatness and should be appreciated, even celebrated."
The next time I hear, "When are we ever going to use this Math?", my answer will incorporate Mr. Hardy's words: "Correcting Math mistakes builds more than Math knowledge and skills -- this improvement process instills character traits that help people break through to a new level of academic, professional and/or personal success."
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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