Week+3+-+Technology+and+mathematical+modeling

What an interesting class. Some of you were starting wth graphing calculators for the first time while to others it was old hat. It was also a great way to illustrate that what can go wrong generally will. I had asked for the teacher calculator that has the special interface for the overhead display and then when we took it out, found that it was an older vintage calculator that did not have the RANGER software on it.... So, if nothing else, this reflects how important it is to try equipment out before you use it. While it won't prevent the unexpected, it will help you to know what may be likely to happen and plan for that!
 * Week 3 Reflection**s


 * Cell Phone Plan** One activity that we didn't get to was the Cell Phone Plan problem which compares the 'value' of three different plans for different airtime usages. Feel free to do this activity... it is quite different from the others we did today - and discuss as you see fit. It's on the website under course work and week 3.

I was also struck by the willingness of so many to assist each other (and they say that teaching is a solo occupation). I have seen that you are really gelling as a group and I hope that as we move through the course you learn to rely on one another for assistance, ideas, sounding board, etc.

For those of you who are presenting next week, take a look at the rubric on the website for what your classmates and I shall be looking for. If you want feedback on particular elements of your activity - areas that you and your partner are having problems with, for instance - be specific with your questions. You have the opportunity to get feedback from about 30 people, none of whom will have a lot of time to read and write at your station so be specific where you can... Best of luck!

Once you are comfortable with your activity, feel free to post them on the WIKI for others to use. This is an important part of the B. Ed. program and one that will assist you when you enter or return to the classroom. I shall also post some of my work for those who are interested.

**Reading thoughts for next week...** When you are reading Boaler chapter 3, keep in mind the questions that I posed last week (on the reverse side of the handout):  To this last point, try to think about __all__ of the ways you've seen and heard Cathy communicate with her students. How do her students behave in class? What is expected of them? How do they treat each other?
 * 1) In Lesson 2, one of the students suggested using x’s and y’s. However, the teacher then started the development of a generalization by suggesting using only one variable. Students often have trouble using variables in the development of a generalization. Where is this evident in the class discussion?
 * 2) What are some strategies the teacher uses to manage the class to establish norms?

Until next time, Adrian