Taking the Leap in Mathematics and Web 2.0
Feb 25th, 2008 by Mr. Higgins
During this entire school year, I have been adjusting to the fact that I am now being treated as a mathematics teacher, and not a computer teacher. I have a great comfort with computer courses; however, I have a real passion for mathematics. Due to my Web 2.0 prowess, I had to find a way to get at least one of my math courses into the action.
So, I created the Honors Algebra II blog. There are many great topics and posts that are on tap. Currently the following system to get the students involved in mathematics on the web (Thanks a bunch Darren K).
1. Each night, someone in the class (we call the SCRIBE) is assigned to post notes on the web through the WordPress interface and their login.
Here is the full description of what I expect in a post.
Content – 10 Points
The scribe post should contain enough information for other students to understand the concepts and skills. A complete scribe post contains examples used in class. This helps students that were out of class. You should look at the scribe post as a contribution to a class textbook. A grade in this section will be determined by evaluating the mathematics and language used to explain the instructional message.
Creativity & Imagination – 5 Points
Each scribe post is concentrated around the concepts or skills learned in the classroom. However, the use of creativity and imagination is integral to an inspiring scribe post. As part of the internet generation, you understand that text is simply not enough when graphics, videos, and other internet content exist.
Use of Tools for Scribe Post – 5 Points
The appropriate use of tools is important to the overal quality of the scribe post. Make you use tools which match the concepts learned in class. For example, a classroom session on the shifting of graphs will results in a scribe post which uses fooplot.com to create graphs OR scans in images of the different graphs used.
2. The SCRIBE names the next SCRIBE in their post at the bottom of the post. We have a Scribe List that keeps track of which students have posted during the current cycle. It really is a great way of progressing through material and getting the students involving in making content.
Here is an example of only a small portion of a student post:
8.3 The Number e
Remember that pi is not just a number, it is a representation.
The Number e
e=2.718281828459…
-e is irrational (never terminates)
-e is created by the following sequence: 
3. Every once in a while, which I have not exactly defined, we are going to have something I call a Student Focus. It is basically the students blogging about blogging or completing a small project or activities via our Web 2.0 portal.
Here is my description to the students:
A student focus, which will be required at least twice during a nine weeks, is a small project that you are to complete through the class blog. These small projects have not been determined at this point. Each project will be math based and most likely will consist of some internet searching.
4. I have setup a Scribe Hall of Fame where posts which separate themselves from the others will be inducted. If a post lands in the Scribe Hall of Fame, it will include a symbol allowing all visitors of our website to know.
Here is symbol for the Scribe Hall of Fame:
We are in the 2nd week of this experiment currently and I feel so much more motivated in class to show the students some "cool" math stuff that they can share with all on the blog!
This blog is going to bat for Web 2.0. My name is Chris Higgins and I am a high school mathematics and computer science teacher at Norwalk High School in Ohio. I am a lifetime learner, Web 2.0 advocate, blogger, tennis coach, and a huge sports fan. Go Browns! Go Cavs! Go Tribe!
Flickr/higgysports
Twitter/higgysports
YouTube/mrhigginsNHS
Del.icio.us/mrhiggins
School Website/mrhiggins
Mr. Higgins
Brilliant work with the Algebra II blog. I have recently had my Pre – Calculus students type up their notes for one section during each grading period. It produces work somewhat similar, yet without the zing of colors and images. I am very impressed. I am sure it helps you determine what your students are “hearing”…I love how some of the blog posts have “at this point Mr. Higgins discussed ” which gives them another engagement point with the lesson, even if its slightly off-topic.
How do you handle students without internet access? Most of our students have high-quality internet access, but there are always a few who don’t, especially in my English Language Learners classroom, where a blog like this would be awesome, yet almost none of them own computers at home. ( I am slightly embarrassed to say I don’t even own one)
How do other teachers take this sort of “new school” idea? One of our math teachers uses Blackboard, while most “old school” math teachers are completely against it.
Do your students enjoy/like posting and checking the blog ? Do they critique each other?
WELL DONE…this is awesome
anthony escobedo
p.s. i found this site googling “educators using Ti-Nspire blogs”…not exactly what I was looking for, but still cool
This blog is definitely forward thinking. I tell every teacher that 40 years from now we will not get on a yellow school bus to travel to school.
I am curious about how students become a scribe when they do not have internet access (from home)? Are they exempt? Does one get penalized in any fashion? I teach at a school where many students (about 50%) are low-socioeconomic. I don’t allow this to impede technology, but I find flexibility is required.
Phil,
My students know that they can use the school computer labs, school library, town library, or even a friends internet access connection. I really had doubts until I consulted my tech coordinator, she convinced me that enough of our students have internet access. Especially in my Honors Algebra II Blog.
Anthony,
I really think this engages the students in a completely different manner. I really feel like the students that act as the “scribe” for that day learn more than those that complete the homework. As teachers, we know you learn more when you explain something to someone else. My previous comment addresses the internet access question. The students often “pick” on somebody who perhaps uses too much color or less color. Our spring break really slowed down the blog momentum; however, I have a project coming up fairly soon. Thanks for the comment.
[...] implementation of the Honors Algebra II blog was a complete success. My students enjoyed the blogging and student focus process a great deal. There are a few changes that I will make; however, I wanted to share with all of you, [...]
Hi,
I’m kind of late to the party here. Just wanted to say how great I think it is that you’ve been exploring the use of scribes in your math classes.
If you’re interested, and planning to continue the practise next year, what would you think of us opening connecting our class blogs using Feed Windows. I’ve tried this with other teachers in the past and found that it helps students in both classes learn and produce better work; it really underscores their sense of audience.
Also, I was fascinated to read your students reflections on being scribes. It seems like it was a largely positive experience.
You’ve got my email address. Let me know if you want to pursue the Feed Window thing.
Cheers!
[...] a chance at a large Web 2.0 project; however, I will give it a try. I will not use the full Scribe Process in this [...]