Squares, Triangles and the old guy named Pythagoras!

Well, as the blogging journey continues we find ourselves working more and more efficiently.  We have (almost!) everybody remembering their passwords and using the correct log-in names.  We continue to construct the proper criteria for a helpful and educational blog.  We continue to have conversations about copyright and the use of other people's ideas and work on our own blogs.  In essence, we are continually building on both our math and technology learning simultaneously each week.  Both M.O and T.J had incredibly thoughtful and in-depth blog posts this week that offered some incredible websites on the Pythagorean Theorem and how/when/why it is used. 

 An informational website on the Pythagorean Theorem: http://www.mathsisfun.com/pythagoras.html - pythagorean theorem information
A Pythagorean Theorem game: http://www.math-play.com/Pythagorean-Theorem-Game.html - pythagorean theorem game

Our goal for November is photography and having students take pictures of real-life math and using those pictures on their blogs.  Perhaps we can create math-related 5-card Flickrs and use our creativity as well.  The connections are endless and I do want students to be able to grow and change just as the world around us continues to do.  I hope to nurture those wanderers (rhizomatic learning) within our walls and curricula and have us build our purpose together. 

The blogging continues!

Another Friday in the computer lab and another success - as far as this educator can tell!  This week the students' goal was the following:

1. Explain in your own words what a square number is.  Provide examples of a perfect square and its square root.
2. Find 3 helpful websites/videos that can provide additional information on squares and square roots.
3. Find at least 1 fun game/application that allows students to practice their squares and square roots.

Upon observing the students I saw many fully engaged in fun and curriculum-linked activities that had them deepening their understanding of squares and square roots.  Students that did not find themselves motivated with a pencil and paper now could not answer the questions fast enough.  A few of the ones that they enjoyed the most:
Squares/Square Root Tic Tac Toe : http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/ttt.cgi
A teacher website with two possible games: http://missleemath.blogspot.com/2008/09/square-number-games.html
An information site: http://www.helpingwithmath.com/by_subject/algebra/alg_squares01.htm

These are just a few of the sites that they found - I will post them on my math resources page as well!

As I watched these Math 8 students work so hard on their blogs it made me appreciate the power of letting go of my own "teacher power" and giving ownership to each individual student.  For more information of the importance and logistics of student blogs, click here. 

A huge thank you to my Math 8's for working so hard at these blogs and showing me the importance of allowing them to lead.  They always exceed my already high expectations.

The fun begins!

Well we finally had our first day to actually create a post.  There were a few bugs to work out with certain accounts but overall I would call it an amazing success!  The students were asked to address three points on their very first post:

1. Explain the rules for multiplying and dividing integers in their own words.
2. Provide 3 examples of integers in real life and then find 3 corresponding websites that demonstrate those integers being used in a real life situation. 
3. Find informational websites/videos that may help a student who is struggling with integers or perhaps needs more variety in instruction and assessment.

Due to my lengthy explanation at the beginning some students were not able to accomplish all three tasks but next Friday we will continue our first post and some will be ready to move on the next one!  Next Friday it is also my hope that we are able to make sure that the students are all following eachother and myself.  By the end of the month we will have a network of students helping and supporting students.  These students will also be finding and assessing websites and providing the links that they believe could help others with the outcome we are working on.  These Grade 8's are busy!

Dr. Rick Shwier has worked extensively on the concept of online learning communities.  He is interested in the people that join them, contribute to them and continue to engage in them over time.  In our discussion in EC&I 831 we shared the need for trust and open-minds in order to participate in online learning communities.  I also believe that in any community, online or in-person, you have to be willing to give a part of yourself to have people invest in you and what you are saying and doing.  I will do my best to give my audience and students a part of me and I hope they, in return, feel the trust needed to share and engage.  This use of technology means that the students can help create the activities, lessons and examples along with me as opposed to me "dispensing" the information to them.  This truly can be transformative - if the right community develops.