Blog Post #6

The.Secret.Life.of.Chaos. by costello74

This week's learning module had two main focuses, they are, connecting mathematics with the world and using technology to teach mathematics.  I will address each focus in this respective order.

Connecting mathematics with the world is important for establishing a practical relationship between the sometimes arduous work of mathematics and its inherent relationship with our common experiences. Developing an understanding of this relationship is important because it helps to foster in students an appreciation for the value of mathematics and its far reaching applicability.  Above is a BBC documentary called "The Secret life of Chaos."  This video explore the multifaceted ways in which mathematics is deeply rooted in the world we inhabit.  The kinds of examples it explores in this documentary provide valuable insights into how the world functions and how mathematics can be used to help us understand the nature of those functions.  I think that bringing to light some these more profound ideas to student awareness is a positive step in reinforcing an understanding of the awesome nature and broad applicability of mathematical concepts.  I believe that creating an educational environment that would allow students to study these kinds of concepts in more detail would not only increase student engagement with mathematics but would also enlighten their understanding of the world by engrossing them in some of the underlying concepts that define it.

The other focus in this week's learning module was the use of gaming applications to help teach students mathematical concepts.  Gaming application are a fun and engaging way to get students interested in mathematics.  By approaching mathematics as a form of 'play,' students are more likely to enjoy mathematics as something desirable to interact with.  Good gaming apps also have the added benefit of offering students various levels of engagement.  They are able to challenge students who are more advanced or provide scaffolding opportunities by lowering the difficulty for students that are struggling.  Offering students a variety of gaming apps that focus on a big idea also allows for a level of choice that should increase student engagement with mathematics.  Finally, gaming apps often provide students will useful visual aids when demonstrating various mathematical problems.  These visual aids create a diverse learning environment where the differentiation of instruction can optimize student learning preferences.