Reflection on Presentations 4/18

I felt that the presentations today were very informative. The podcasting group did a nice job describing what a podcast was, as well as how to make and listen/view one. I also liked the websites they included because they gave suggestions for how educators might use them in their classrooms. The scenarios group did a good job of telling what exactly scenarios and simulations were. To be honest, I wasn't sure what they were until today! I also liked the websites they suggested, specifically the "Instructional Strategies Online" website. This not only gives a definition of simulations, but it also shows specific examples of using them in the classroom. The search engines group also did a great job presenting. I really enjoyed the introduction activity. It made me realize just how much we use search engines every day, and how much our future students will probably use them as well. I liked that they demonstrated how to use a couple of the search engines and what information they provide. Overall, I thought all three groups did a good job on their presentations because they were informative and can be used in our future classrooms.

Reflection for Presentations on 4/4

I was impressed with Seth, Heidi, and Stephanie's Manipulation Presentation, mostly in part because they were ready to present, and they showed me something I didn't know. I liked the Explore Learning website in which students can manipulate objects in three dimensional space. This helps them better understand a figure rather than trying to draw it on a flat chalkboard. Their ideas were presented clearly without confusion, and the tools that I was aware of are great tools. For example, Seth explained Geometer's Sketchpad clearly, and someone who did not know what that is would most likely have gotten a good idea about it.

Reflection for Presentations on 4/4/07

I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation on the manipulation websites. I found a lot of resources from the team's Wikki posts as well as their tutorials through the various sites. The team was very knowledgeable on their topic and had a very organized presentation. I could definitely see myself using manipulation devices in my classroom -- especially Geometer's Sketchpad. The team offered some useful tips on how to use the devices as well as how to implement them into the classroom. Since their presentation I have tried out some of the websites on their Wikki post and found them to be very easy to navigate through and have come up with some ideas on how to use them in a lesson.

Reflection on Presentations

The manipulation group did a great job of demonstrating the use of different sites and ways they could be integrated into the classroom. I really liked them because, not only do they have representation of mathematical symbols, as well as pictures and graphs to help students make connections and build understanding. One idea I had was going to the computer lab for manipulations once every other week or so. This will give students a chance for a change of atmosphere, and keep them more engaged. Also, by using the computers sparingly students will be more engaged than if they were being used every day.

Our Team's Map

Maps of our homes!



Lesson Ideas
--Students could pick a location and find the quickest route to get there.
--Students could use the Pythagorean theorem to find the shortest distance between two locations.
--Teachers could give students a particular radius or diameter around a given location, and students could list all the places they could go within that radius or diameter.
--Students could estimate distances using a scale.
--Students could locate the midpoints between two locations.
--This can be connected to latitude and longitude lines.

Technology Lesson Plan Ideas

Lesson Plan Idea #1

Target Audience: Algebra II Class

Big Idea: The big idea of this lesson is to introduce graphing technology and/or improve student ability with graphing technology

Goal: The goal of this lesson is to test the advantages and limits of using graphing technology with functions.

Standards: A1.4.1 - Graph a linear equation.
A1.8.1 - Graph quadratic, cubic, and radical equations.
A2.1.4 - Graph relations and functions with and without graphing technology.

Possible Resources: Algebra II Textbook, Graphing Calculator


Lesson Plan Idea #2

Target Audience: Geometry Class

Big Idea: The big idea of this lesson is to let students know how fun Geometer’s Sketchpad makes geometry.

Goal: The goal of this lesson is to introduce Geometer’s Sketchpad while transferring students’ knowledge of circumscribed angles and inscribed angles from paper to software.

Standards: G.6.4 – Construct tangents to circles and circumscribe and inscribe circles.

Possible Resources: Geometry Textbook, Geometer’s Sketchpad Software


Lesson Plan Idea #3

Target Audience: Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry Class

Big Idea: The big idea of this lesson is to let students have fun and communicate their ideas about trigonometric functions.

Goal: Goals of this lesson include: analyzing and examining appropriate methods of solution for trigonometric functions, practice manipulating trigonometric functions, and working in small groups to encourage peer discussion.

Standards: PC.3.1 Solve word problems involving right and oblique triangles.
PC.3.2 Apply the laws of sines and cosines to solving problems.
PC.4.1 Define sine and cosine using the unit circle.
PC.5.1 Know the basic trigonometric identity cos2x + sin2x = 1 and prove that it is equivalent to the Pythagorean Theorem.
PC.5.2 Use basic trigonometric identities to verify other identities and simplify expressions.

Possible Resources: Textbook, Handouts, Calculators, Transparencies http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L383

Technology Lesson Plan Ideas

Lesson Plan Idea #1

Target Audience: 7^th grade math students

Big Idea: I am going to utilize CPS to help students review for a quiz. A jeopardy type game can be used so every student gets to practice their skills while still having the element of competition.

Goal: The goal of this lesson is to help students to review the material for their exam and to know what they still need to study for their exam.

Possible Resources:

• Textbook
• Internet

Lesson Plan Idea #2

Target Audience: Pre-algebra students (8^th graders)

Big Idea: The students are learning about relations in class. Relations can be represented as ordered pairs, on a graph or in a table. To have students check their graphing skills, graphing calculators are a perfect way for the students to see on a standard axis how the relation should appear.

Goal: The goal of this lesson is to have students represent relations in the three different forms and to utilize the graphing calculator to check their graphs.

Possible Resources:

• Textbook
• Internet

Lesson Plan Idea #3

Target Audience: Geometry students (high school)

Big Idea: Students will combine their knowledge of geometry and sketchpad to make an animated Ferris wheel. Students will practice their skills while doing something out of the ordinary. Let’s face it, geometry can get pretty boring so anything teachers can do to make it more interesting will help the students be more engaged in the lesson.

Goal: The goal of this lesson is for the students to have fun with sketchpad while practicing their geometry skills and applying their knowledge of sketchpad.

Possible Resources:

• Textbook
• http://mathforum.org/dynamic/jrk/ferris_dir/
• Geometer’s Sketchpad