Mr. Higgins’ Blog

This year, I have made a concerted effort to use more videos in my Algebra II and Pre-Calculus classes; however, the best source of videos is blocked at  school.  I have had to download the videos from YouTube using ZamZar.com.  ZamZar is a great service for anyone who is interested in downloading YouTube videos in various formats (I normally choose MPEG).  Here are just a couple of the videos I have used in the classroom…

Whenever the situation of division by zero comes up in a problem during class, I have a saying that I use to help the students remember how "bad" it is to divide by zero.  I say "YOUR HOUSE FALLS IN."  You should realize why I thought this video was AWESOME the first time I came across it.

During the course of the day on Friday, March 14th, 2008, I showed the next video several times during the day.  My Pre-Calculus class and Honors Algebra II class had an appreciation for the video; however, my Algebra II regular classes just kind of gave me dirty looks.  (Not really dirty looks, but all teachers know the looks students give when you do something DIFFERENT and they don’t think it is the COOLEST THING EVER)

The last video I will share is from Abbott and Costello.  It is a very entertaining look at how you could tweak mathematics and convince anyone if you know the right tricks; however, the students of course realize it is a comedy bit.

I hope you enjoy the videos, I know you students did (at these those who care and are engaged)