Ideal Classroom Scenario

My group and I selected the topic of high school geometry for our ideal classroom project. We mainly selected this topic because we really enjoy geometry, and with this topic we could focus specifically on triangles and 3D figures. Also, after looking at a few videos, we decided that we would like our students to apply their geometry knowledge after learning about those two topics in an architecture unit. We really felt that it would be motivating to the students, as it would be a lot more interesting than taking a test, and it would also be a way to include summative assessment as well.

In order to collaborate with my group members, we uploaded our document to Google Docs. That way, everyone could just add to the paper as necessary, and we wouldn’t have to keep sending a bunch of emails back and forth. We used Google Docs in order to make the spreadsheet as well. Also, in order to create the classroom layout (below), we decided to use the Classroom Architect website that Katie had shown everyone in class.

The most difficult part of completing this project was trying to figure out what topic of math to choose and what we would like to have the students do for the specific units. We had a lot of different ideas, but we really wanted to find units that were somewhat related to one another. In the end, the topics of triangles and 3D figures went together perfectly with the architecture unit, in order to build and expand on the students’ knowledge from one unit to the next.

In that case, by doing this project, I have begun to realize how it would be really fun to use projects, similar to the architecture project, in order to assess my future students. After viewing the video about another teacher actually implementing this unit, I saw how much the students seemed to enjoy it. Also, thinking back to my high school geometry days, I would have much rather made blueprints and building designs that a one hundred point test.

Computer Algebra Systems

After doing one of my field experiences last spring at Price Lab, I was introduced to "the new thing" in the world of math, the TI-Nspire CAS. Everyone seemed to be so excited to have these new calculators, but they were completely foreign to me. I had never actually used one, seen one, or even heard of one. In that case, it was a frustrating process to me because, in order to teach something to the students in class which involved graphing calculator, I had to try to figure out how to do everything I already knew how to do on my own calculators, a TI-83 or TI-86.

Image from http://www.calculators.com/

Then, after attending the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conference a couple of weeks ago, I attended a session that was supposed to teach you how to use the new computer algebra system. In that case, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me. I would finally be able to learn how to use the TI-Nspire CAS, since I will probably have to use it in my future classroom. To my surprise, there was another kind of CAS that I, once again, had never used, seen, or heard about. It was called the Casio ClassPad. While it is similar to the TI CAS, it was supposed to be better, or so said the man giving the presentation, because it was less intimidating due to the simpler interface. Instead of having all of the keys and functions right on the keypad, this calculator had the basic keys on the keypad. Any of those "missing" keys were able to be accessed by pressing the "keyboard" button, and since it was a touch screen, you could just use the pen to type.

Image from http://www.amazon.com/

Either way, I am not completely sure which computer algebra system of the two I prefer, but it I am sure I will eventually develop an opinion about it in time. As of now, I am just trying to familiarize myself with either of the two in order to better prepare myself for my future teaching experiences. When it comes down to it, though, I am going to guess that, of the two, the school at which I will eventually teach will probably have the TI-Nspire CAS, Texas Instruments is the leading brand when it comes to calculators and have always seemed to have the upper hand on things.