Math Tips from Google (and a comment about Algebra 2)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/google-search-tricks_n_5338470.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular


I love this comment about Algebra 2:

Click here to see more tips on Google

Let's skip Algebra 2, take a course in ethics and add another course in a language.   How about visiting BIBPenpals.com?

How much math do students really need? Fractions, percents and how to estimate... a TEDx presentation

Here are some of the screen shots from this presentation.  The idea is to answer the Big Question honestly.  How will we use math in the future?   We'll use fractions, percents and estimation.  We'll multiply and divide. The rest is not so important....


There are 1.5 million engineers in the USA (estimate by the presenter).  That's less than one percent of the US Population.   What would be a better use of time for the other 99%?   Brain Games (according to the presenter).

We can tell students that they need math to learn
how to come to a conclusion...  "follow these steps..."

We can use math to find a pattern -- come to a general
idea after looking at a lot of details

Even if math is everywhere, do we really need to know
the GOLDEN RECTANGLE to appreciate
beauty?

Yes, but only certain types of math...
fractions, percents, probability, conversions,
measurements,...

this is the argument that "if you do well in this course,
you will do well in life."   ... hmmm

Perhaps this is the best solution:  use the
time in math class to expand our skills
(not learn about matrices and how to use
calculus)

Click here to find the book online
at Amazon

Another good resource is the "When are we ever gonna use this?" book by Hal Saunders.


You can also see how math class can be turned into "skills class" by visiting a blog like this one:   TIME  Technology Integration for Math Education

Algebra 2? Or more language classes? What would you choose?

I generally like it when I can send people to the source, to the one article that gives interesting information.  However, I find that many people will not "click through," so I can either copy the words (reprinting the words in a searchable way) or I can post SCREENSHOTS of a column and get people to look.

Here is the key statement.

Here is my favorite chart

Here is the blog.

Study this chart...

You can go to the blog here

How to become a better teacher: Ask your former students to send you excellent videos (thank you, Lutz!)

My former student and current friend and computer mentor Lutz sent me this video.

It is worth watching.

Here are some screenshots.

Go, Marauders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5X_iSRNueU

ooooooo

They look engaged

Wow, I can use my microsoft hotmail / outlook account

What is he doing?

Don't break it!

oh...

This teacher is welcome any time to join me for
lunch on Las Olas, my treat.  What a clear presentation.

It won't hurt any of us to look at this logo one more time.

Clearly I need to get a tablet.  thanks to Lutz, and his patient "seminar during a barbecue", I know that I need to get a touch screen and Windows 8.

Students:  when you find a useful video like this one, send the link to your former teachers.   Teachers can learn from you.

Free Ebook about Math: "When are we ever going to use this?" is a great way to reach young people

Why not throw a series of questions and interesting headlines at students (instead of topics of chapters)?   Why not ask questions instead of lecturing about division, algebra, slopes and matrices?

Here's a delightful approach:  a PDF math book.  Why not download it now?

This is from the Hal Saunders book

http://sites.csn.edu/jmatovina/120book_2e.pdf