Week 7: Hypermedia Integration Activities
Part One: Video Library for High School Math Teachers
There are thousands of videos available for math education. The majority of these videos are tutorials and intended to replace instruction. However, when implementing the use of videos in the classroom, the video should enhance the learning experience and provide an opportunity for learning that cannot be achieved without its use. The following ten videos are great examples of how videos can be incorporated in a high school math classroom.
Quadratic Formula Song
The Quadratic Formula is a topic that every Algebra student must learn. Students are introduced to it in Algebra 1 and use it in every subsequent math class following. By the time students reach Calculus or beyond, this formula should be part of their brain muscle memory. Therefore, it is important that students learn it well and have it memorized. Songs and/or mnemonic devices great ways for students to remember important formulas and equations. The following is the quadratic formula sung to the tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel." There are dozens of quadratic formula songs that have been written and used in the classroom but I like this one in particular. I think it is the easiest for students to remember since the tune is so familiar. This video would be played for students when they are first learning the formula and referenced throughout the unit to reinforce its usefulness.
Pythagorean Theorem Visual
Often times, students are taught the Pythagorean Theorem, how it is used and are expected to memorize the equation. The underlying concept behind the formula is usually lost on a student. This video does a great job of visually explaining the Pythagorean theorem. When students watch how the two smaller squares always equal the larger square, they will be able to visualize the formula. Hopefully, this will help students not only gain a better understanding of the theorem but help them to commit the equation to memory with ease.
Calculus - Volumes of Revolution Demonstration
Finding the volume of solids of revolution is one of my favorite topics to teach in AP Calculus. However, it is usually a difficult topic for students to understand, especially when they are first introduced to it. Since this is a topic of math that require visual representation, the use of a video is a perfect teaching tool. I used to bring in manipulatives to demonstrate this concept but now, video technology is even more effective.
"Gettin Triggy With It" Rap Video
Trigonometry is such a interesting field of math and I love how this song engages students. I want students to be excited to begin learning about trig as I am excited about teaching it. This song would be a great introduction to the basics of trig. The opening scene of the video shows how most students probably react to being told they are about to start learning trigonometry, this video would be a great icebreaker and entertain the students. WSHS has several other rap videos for a variety of math topics and I plan to use them in the classroom in the future.
Fibonacci Spiral - The Fingerprint of God
The Fibonacci sequence is one of the most interesting topics in mathematics. This sequence is found in nature, art, music and architecture. This video does a great job of summarizing how the Fibonacci sequence, spiral and golden ratio is seen in everyday life. The video is titled "The Fingerprint of God" so it can only be used if you teach in a religiously affiliated institution. When I used this video in the classroom, I taught in a Catholic high school and it was very well received.
Golden Ratio - Mathematical Beauty
Yet another video that shows the uses of the Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio. This video specifically shows how the golden ratio is correlated to what we perceive as beauty. The video features plastic surgeon and how he analyzes faces to see if they match the golden ratio. I would be careful if I showed this video to impressionable young students especially to teenage girls, but the concept behind it is quite fascinating.
Doodling in Math Class - Logarithms
Vi Hart has published over 70 videos in a series she calls "Doodling in Math Class." These videos are more entertaining than a mere tutorial; they follow her stream of consciousness as she talks about different math topics. They are entertaining and interesting while still being very informative. This particular video discusses logarithms. Logarithms can be a very difficult concept for some students to grasp and I think her take on them provides a fresh, intuitive approach that could really benefit a struggling student.
Introduction to Calculus
This video is brief but provides a great overview and introduction to Calculus. It basically states the same things that the first section of any Calculus book but I think it engages students and peaks their interest more than simply reading the section.
Zeno's Paradox
Dr. James Grime is a mathematician and he has posted many videos covering a variety of math topics. He is an excellent teacher and his video do a great job of demonstrating difficult concepts. This particular video helps explain and discuss Zeno's paradox. I always cover this topic at the beginning of any Calculus class because it grabs students attention while getting them introduced to the limiting process.
Calculus in 20 minutes
I show this video every year at the beginning of my Calculus class and again at the end of the year. It is amazing to how they are able to follow along when they first watch it but are obviously extremely overwhelmed. By the end of the year, they love being able to watch it again when they fully understand the concepts. They express pride and a sense of accomplishment after attaining so much knowledge. I reference the video occasionally throughout the year because the instructor truly does explain the concepts well.
Part Two: Video Enhanced Lesson Plan
The following is a lesson plan the incorporates the last three videos from the video library provided above. This introduction outline has been proven to be effective in past experience but the incorporation of video technology really enhances the lesson.
541_video_enhanced_lesson_plan.doc | |
File Size: | 40 kb |
File Type: | doc |
AECT Standards achieved: 1.2 Message Design, 1.3 Instructional Strategies, 1.4 Learner Characteristics, 2.2 Audiovisual Technologies, 2.3 Computer-Based Technologies, 2.4 Integrated Technologies, 3.1 Media Utilization, 3.2 Diffusion of Innovations