14 May 2016

. . . how math makes sense in the world . . .



Digital Math Tools
Through focused research, it was found that US students tend to utilize the strategy of “memorization” more frequently than peers in higher performing countries, a strategy which seems to hold as sufficient until the later elementary grades, where the strategy begins to fail. International testing of mathematics ability at the 10th grade level focuses upon application of math coherently . . . –MidSchool Math.com

23 April 2016

'' . . . we teach 'problem solving' and many of those problems require math to solve . . . ''


Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2016 9:34 AM
Subject: [LivingMathForum] Digest Number 4012

Fri Apr 22, 2016 6:34 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
I teach math in an independent study "home school" to 4th, 5th and 6th graders. So I actually do have a magic wand at our school . Here's what I do.

I don't teach "math". For two reasons... one is, the word "math" has strong negative connotations even for students in 5th grade. Studies like http://pss.sagepub.com/content/16/3/175.abstract show that girls are especially prone to this... and removing the word "math" can help. The second reason is that for most people, math is less compelling than problem solving. So we teach "problem solving" and many of those problems require math to solve.

I have a weekly class blog, so, if you're interested, you can read it at https://problemsolvingmath.wordpress.com/. My class is far from perfect, but, my students enjoy it and have learned a lot. And I think the blog provides some usable curriculum if you're motivated.


-Ron

19 February 2016

Music instruction enhanced by technology . . .

The perfect pair . . . eLearning and music . . . for information on Gerry Diamond's extraordinary methodology please visit his site . . . The Diamond Piano Method

10 February 2016

Lesson Plans from artsonia


Retrieved 10 February from http://www.artsonia.com/teachers/lessonplans/

The World's Largest Student Art Museum provides  free, safe, educational programs for students and families. It is also a valuable resource for art education. Join a vibrant, amazing community of art educators at artsonia

16 January 2016

Learning Environments

Verbatim from Educause  . . . 

http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-learning-space-rating-system 7 Things You Should Know About the Learning Space Rating System

Monday, October 5, 2015

Abstract

The Learning Space Rating System is a tool developed by leading community experts for rating formal learning spaces to determine how well their design affords and encourages active learning. The LSRS includes 50 questions organized into six sections, and colleges and universities use the LSRS as part of updating existing learning spaces and building new ones. The LSRS provides a clear-cut list of items to consider and measure, and it can open discussions internally and externally regarding various approaches to learning and the ways in which spaces can be designed to support those approaches.
The 7 Things You Should Know About... series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.
In addition to the 7 Things briefs, you may find other ELI resources useful in addressing teaching, learning, and technology issues at your institution. To learn more, please visit the ELI Resources page.