Search This Blog

Thursday 22 September 2011

free algebra online tutorials

Free Math Education helps you to learn all the algebra, geometry courses.

Tuesday 20 September 2011

www.allstarmathtutors.com

Math tutoring website


Check it out!

Travel Thailand Free - Thai Imports Tutorial

Thai Imports Tutorial covers all aspects of the Import Business. Whether a hobby or career, it all starts here. Step by step instructions written by a successful retired importer. Where to buy goods, methods of shipping Plus 10 proven marketing options.


Check it out!

Ignite event at CMC-S Math Conference

So what could I do to "ignite" thinking about mathematics education given the constraints of using 20 slides and just 5 minutes (with the slides auto-advancing every 15 seconds)? This was the challenge I faced as November 6 approached and I prepared for a so-called Ignite event. The result? See for yourself at Key Curriclum's Sine of the Times blog. Be sure to check out the other presenter's ideas, too, on You Tube. I am sure you'll find something to ignite your thinking about mathematics teaching and learning!

View the original article here

Atahualpa Wordpress Theme - Beginners Tutorial

Step by step, fully illustrated tutorial for the Atahualpa Wordpress theme. Complete with video illustrations. Written by a qualified and highly experienced IT tutor. Newbie friendly.


Check it out!

Teaching and Learning Fraction Concepts and Operations

The Institute of Education Studies (IES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, has recently released a research-based 90-page report titled, "Developing Effective Fractions Instruction for Kindergarten through 8th Grade." The report begins by detailing the poor level of understanding of fraction concepts and skills among U.S. students. For example data from international and national exams have shown that "50% of 8th-graders could not order three fractions from least to greatest...[and] fewer than 30% of 17-year-olds correctly translated 0.029 as 29/1000" (p. 6). A panel of experts reviewed dozens of studies and identified five (5) recommendations for improving fraction instruction. From page 1 of the document:Build on students’ informal understanding of sharing and proportionality to develop initial fraction concepts.Help students recognize that fractions are numbers and that they expand the number system beyond whole numbers. Use number lines as a central representational tool in teaching this and other fraction concepts from the early grades onward.Help students understand why procedures for computations with fractions make sense.Develop students’ conceptual understanding of strategies for solving ratio, rate, and proportion problems before exposing them to cross-multiplication as a procedure to use to solve such problems.Professional development programs should place a high priority on improving teachers’ understanding of fractions and of how to teach them.This list fits well with the approaches I've found successful in my own classroom (previously) and in the experiences of my credential students in their classrooms. Learning to make sense of fraction concepts requires deliberate activities that allow for sense-making to occur. Some resources to help you design such learning activities are:Have fun with these! It is always great to see students "get it" when working with fractions.

View the original article here

Getting Ready for NCTM

Why would 10,000 teachers of mathematics descend on San Diego for a week? When the annual NCTM Conference is being held there! Check out the amazing list of sessions here.

As a member of the planning committee, I will be in charge of making sure things run smoothly with sessions in the Marriott, so be sure to stop by and say, "Hi!" if you're there.


View the original article here

Monday 19 September 2011

Rote Memorization versus Conceptual Learning

A colleague teaching mathematics at a community college recently asked if I knew of research about "the effectiveness of mass practice in terms of long-term memory."  Apologies in advance if you don't have access to an academic journal database and can only view the article abstracts.

There is research about so-called "human calculators" who do mental math with large sets of figures; in every instance these folks have developed their talent by spending countless hours memorizing arithmetic facts and relationships. Seems in the most extreme cases their brains are wired to support this sort of activity.
http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/364/1522/1385.short
However, if we are talking about whether mass memorization equates to meaningful learning for the typical person, evidence from the 1950s demonstrated this was not the case beyond the retention of simple facts:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022101507632996

Learning with connections is far better. Think about early school mathematics books (in the 1700s) that had page after page of formulas to memorize related to commercial transactions involving proportional relationships among different units. The time and effort it took to try to memorize these was inordinate (and drove many away from mathematics). More "modern" textbooks by the early 1900s had students learn about proportional reasoning as a general relationship that could be applied to an infinite number of specific situations - thus by learning one conceptual relationship (which could then be memorized and also re-constructed if learned with understanding), students had a much better chance of both long-term recall and correct application.

Some recent articles related to this idea demonstrate quite powerfully the advantages to conceptual learning.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ddrr.45/pdf
http://www.academicjournals.org/ERR/PDF/Pdf%202011/Jan/Narli.pdf


View the original article here

Ensure Your Child Succeeds At Math

Ensure Your Child Succeeds At Math teaches math in a totally child friendly way. Children discover math is creative and fun. Math concepts are discovered through play, games and open-ended challenges. A perfect homeschool/preschool/kindergarten program.


Check it out!

Depression Help Fast - No Drugs

Educational, fast download videos designed by former sufferer to assist those dealing with stress related to feelings of low-mood, depression and anxiety without drugs. No medical advice. Also includes tons of bonus supplementary material.


Check it out!

Blogging and Wordpress Video Tutorials

If you want to make money online you have to learn the basics of internet marketing and blogging. Our video course will help you greatly. Step-By-Step Video Tutorials Reveal Exactly How To Set-Up a Profitable WordPress Blog in Minutes


Check it out!

Atahualpa Wordpress Theme - Beginners Tutorial

Step by step, fully illustrated tutorial for the Atahualpa Wordpress theme. Complete with video illustrations. Written by a qualified and highly experienced IT tutor. Newbie friendly.


Check it out!

Dreamweaver Interactive Video tutorial

Discover everything you need to know to build your website step by step from start to finish with this Dreamweaver Tutorial.


Check it out!

Help Wanted! Legitimate Online Jobs

70% Commission. Capture your share of a growing trend. Help job seekers find online jobs and work from home. No scams. Three bonuses.


Check it out!

Gimp Tutorials - Gimp Video Tutorials

Learn Gimp in 3 Hours or less with Easy Step by Step Gimp Video Tutorial. Instant Access. Learn More. High Conversions, 55% Commisions & Low Refund Rates. Affiliates go to: http://www.learngimpfast.com/gimp-affiliates.php


Check it out!

Chuggington Cake Tutorial

Create a fantastic Chuggington Cake, including Wilson, Brewster, Koko and the Roundhouse with this step by step picture tutorial that will show you how to create an awesome birthday cake, impressing you, your friends and the birthday boy or girl!


Check it out!

Help with Homework for Kids

Know any kids that might need help with their homework? This series of step by step help videos has been created by two awarding winning teachers. Guaranteed to get results, easy access download. 50% affiliate program.


Check it out!

Sunday 18 September 2011

Joomla Kahuna Tutorial Video Training Series

Earn 55% Commission. Dedicated Affiliate Support. Step by Step Training Tutorials for Easily Learning Joomla


Check it out!

How To Get Good Grades In Math

This is the way I had to study math in order to make A's and B's in Algebra, Trig, and Calculus. I was never successful listening in class. I developed a study routine that made me ahead of my classes. This guide is for those who really struggle in math

Check it out!

Interactive Math Worksheet Generators for Teachers, Parents & Students

Interactive Math Worksheets Generators that teachers, parents and students love because they are simple and fun. Used at thousands of homes and schools throughout the world. Ideal for School & Homeschool use.


Check it out!

Html Tutorials In Web Page Design

Html Tutorials And Lessons In Web Page Design. Over 40 Easy To Follow Interactive Html Lessons And Tutorials.


Check it out!

Hot Topic *Foreclosure Tutorial * Sells itself!- 50% Comm!

Learn *secrets* that Investor's use to buy multiple properties for pennies on the dollar! Step-by-Step Tutorial teaches you Everything you need -How to buy, where to look & over 40+ Free listing sites. Affiliate Image Ads at http://.../Affiliates


Check it out!

Bookmarking Coach - Bookmarking Demon Tutorial

Reduce Bookmarking Demon returns with Bookmarking Coach, a Bmd Tutorial. Valuable for newbies and experts.The perfect complimentary product for Bmd. 11 chapters, 85 pgs, pdf, free lifetime updates. Affiliate tools at http://bookmarkingcoach.com/affiliates


Check it out!

20 Free Internet Marketing Video Tutorials With Upgrades

Send People To A Free Resource And Get Paid For It! Hot Videos On List Building, Seo, Tracking, Cloaking, Buy Now Buttons & More! $97 Oto $27 Downsell And CB Id Carried To Referrals! Affiliates Go To http://www.tiptopaffiliates.com


Check it out!

Technology in Mathematics Education

This week Education Week featured an article about technology in mathematics education where I was quoted a couple of times.  The gist of what I had said was the while technology is crucial in supporting mathematics learning, it is not in and of itself a substitute for quality teaching and curriculum materials.  Something not mentioned in the article (which I understand does not have room for everything) was my concern that teachers are not being given enough time to for professional development to not only learn about new technology tools and resources but also to learn how to design and implement learning activities with these.

In case you have the time and interest, here are a few articles and tutorials worth exploring about exciting tools to support mathematics teaching and learning!


View the original article here

The Importance of Questioning

For the past few years I've taught methods courses for both beginning and experienced teachers of mathematics. One element of these courses has been the use of videos of teachers in the classroom to prompt discussion of specific aspects of practice. The lesson captured in a set of video clips here, "Looking for Squares" by Lisa Brown, is one of the best examples I've found of a teacher's use of questioning to guide students' exploration and eventual sense-making of a mathematical concept, in this case square numbers and square root. It might be helpful to read "Questioning our Patterns of Questioning" by Herbel-Eisenmann and Brefogel, to provide a context for thinking about the use of questioning in a mathematics classroom. What specific strategies and teaching skills does Ms. Brown use to promote, sustain, and engage student thinking? How does this support their sense-making?

View the original article here

Thinking about Ability - Fixed vs Growth Mindset

In the U.S. many folks perceive there to be a "math ability" that one either has or does not have (see Uttal's research). This actually does much harm to how we structure mathematics learning and limits achievement among students. As a teacher I constantly sought ways to engage students in making sense of mathematical concepts and relationships and believe that with few exceptions the majority of people can learn the mathematics in the K-12 curriculum. This was shown to be true among my students, many of whom went from believing mathematics to be a black hole of nonsensical symbols and rules to realizing the logical structure of mathematics and developing the power to reason mathematically to solve problems. This was possible in large part because I felt they were capable of making significant improvements to their knowledge of mathematics.

Important research from Carol Dweck and her colleagues at Stanford has shed light on the relationship between one's "mindset" toward ability (mathematical or otherwise) and the actions to which this leads in terms of opportunities to learn and feedback to learners. Ultimately, these have serious consequences on learning outcomes. The idea is this: if one believes ability to be fixed - a fixed mindset - this will lead to actions that a) serve to identify who is high-ability and not and b) provide feedback that reinforces ability status, directly and indirectly. The result - a few students are "smart" in mathematics while many others are not. The smart ones must strive to retain that labeling through "looking smart" (often at any cost) while the others see no reason to work at learning what they are being told is beyond their ability. The result is that actual learning among all students suffers.

What Dweck and colleagues found is that changing this script can have pronounced effects. Taking a "growth mindset" that views ability as derived more from effort than some innate quality leads to very difference choices about learning environment and feedback to learners. If one believes most all students can learn mathematics, those who are struggling to do so are in need of support. Feedback such as, "if you work hard at this you will improve" leads to greater motivation and, as their research has shown, greater success. For students who do well with mathematics, the feedback in the growth mindset tells them, "you made a good effort at this and have done well." This is critical because when the mathematics does get challenging (and it will!), these students will persist, putting in more effort, rather than look for ways to simply maintain their "looking smart" status (e.g., shortcuts, cheating, or bowing out).

See here for more about this work and suggestions for teachers and parents.


View the original article here

Saturday 17 September 2011

Welcome!

Welcome to my new foundational-level mathematics blog! I plan to share resources and perspectives on the teaching of mathematics at the middle school and early high school level from my experience as a teacher and math educator. My philosophy of teaching is to create a learning environment in which students are encouraged and supported in making sense of mathematics. My work in public Title I schools in California with learners of all backgrounds convinced me that students have the potential to understand mathematics and the our work as teachers is to uncover and nurture this (as well as prodding it along when needed!). As a professor my scholarship looks at democratic practices in mathematics teaching and learning that work toward creating more equitable learning outcomes. See here for some of my academic musings: http://faculty.fullerton.edu/mellis/Articles%20about%20Mathematics%20Education.htm

View the original article here

hostgator coupon code