Videos for Learning
Each of these modules uses videos to help illuminate an important aspect of mathematics. Whilst each has its own style, they have in common a video introduction that could be shared with students or could be viewed by a teacher intending a 'live performance'. They include additional videos covering any e-tech skills that the module draws upon and commonly are extended via student resources that take them from an introduction of a new idea to a fully fledged unit of study.
Dogball - a study of bounce
Dogball is an enigma. The bouncy toy exterior hides a rich yet accessible modelling task within; a delicious intersection of maths and science, a potential PSMT/Folio task for Stage 1 Mathematical Methods featuring low floor, high ceiling and room for unique student responses, and just a great bit of maths.
Dogball, and the modelling task he inspires, is introduced via a short video. The related data is included as a CSV file. Instructions on how to import CSV data into a Casio CG50 AU graphics calculator or into the Casio fx-CG Manager Plus.
Also included are three "how to..." videos demonstrating some of the functionality of a CG50 that could be of use in completing the Dogball modelling task.
Cup Snakes - Describing Linear Change
A video introduction presents the mathematics of cup snakes, a hands on phenomena involving additive change that gives rise to a way to think about linear growth. Modeling this phenomena theoretically, with the help of two cups, and through data, with the help of many, many cups, these videos give rise to some of the big ideas around developing and using linear algebraic models to describe additive bi-variate change. These ideas are then unpacked in the accompanying 'chapter replacement' booklet.
As Big As Can Be
The introductory videos introduce students to a complete unit of work, a study of quadratic functions. The unit starts with a geometric optimisation problem (paper folding) that prompts students to ask the question “is that as big as can be?” This question drives the generation and use of an algebraic model for the geometric system and provides a natural purpose for the vertex form of a quadratic function. The unit then focuses on families of quadratic functions, using technology and algebraic techniques to appreciate their graphical and algebraic characteristics. The unit includes two videos that can be used by teachers to get an idea of how to start the unit, or can be used in class as a 'prop' to run the first few lessons, along with a 'chapter replacement' booklet, complete with e-tech support and answers to questions.
Flow - Ideas that underpin Differential Calculus
Presented here is a tried and proven three to five lesson sequence that begins with an engaging real-world context and grows students from the idea of average rate of change to instantaneous rate of change.
It is accessible to any student who has an understanding of average and gradient.
In this collection of resources you will find: a) a three-part introductory video (I, IIa and IIb), which structures the sequence of learning, b) two support video that shows "how to" do the technical stuff on the CG 20 AU.
Pigs, Pens and Mathematics
Pigs, pens and mathematics is a two to four lesson, tried and proven, activity that moves students from measurement-thinking to functional-thinking with the help a simple but rarely used idea - do not evaluate a calculation. A small, but authentic and enlightening use of electronic technology is made. It would fit perfectly in a measurement topic at any of the years 8 to 11. In this collection of resources you will find: a) a two-part introductory video, that can be played to the class to kick things off, b) one support video that shows "how to" do the technical stuff on the CG 20 AU, c) one support video that explores the mathematical ideas that can be developed with the help of the technology, d) one 'task sheet' for students to work on after watching the videos or being instructed by the teacher, e) a complete 'unit of work' that allows students to consolidate the mathematical ideas and skills they have learned.