Hmmm...we are given an interesting question this week. "What small change might I make to my project to increase creativity/innovation? Is hat an important enough goal to attend to in this lesson or is it best saved for another opportunity?"
Funny that we are asked that because that was something that I tried to incorporate in my project from the get go. First of all, I think seeing math in the real world is fun and most time people have to be creative to find upper level math that can relate! Second, I am asking our students to investigate, explore, and discovery different conclusions and situations from the ONE they are given. Lastly, I think giving my students the openness to present their projects however they see fit...is allowing from a broad margin of creativity and innovation. SO, normally, I would say this is something I struggle with. BUT, this project definitely lends itself to that from the get go...so that is very excited.
On that note, I do think different subjects and different things involved in those subjects lend them to more or less creativity. Therefore, when we can find these things and incorporate them into mathematics/science...it is a great achievement. I hope that as a mathematics educator this is something that I am constantly striving for!
I agree! Including innovation and creativity in math and science can be a challenge. Typically, the best I can do is give my students options for their deliverables like you mentioned. As I was finishing my blog post, I realized allowing my students to choose how they present their project will encourage them to be creative. I was thinking of having them all create wiki pages. Instead, I think we'll use wikispaces.com to house their projects for future students. Duh, how easy is that...why'd it take me until tonight to figure that out? :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your project...I'm curious to hear which tools your students choose for their artifacts (because I think it'll give me some ideas). I get the impression virtual students are more experienced with technology than some regular ed students. I think that's why I don't always use technology...I don't usually have enough time to show them how to use something and then allow them time to complete their assignment/project.
I disagree. I think math (and science) both lend themselves to a great deal of creativity. Can you imagine what Pythagoras was doing when he came up with his theorem? Or how in the world do scientist discover new elements and where do they get the ideas for some of the theories they have? Maybe its because science and math are "Greek" to me, but I am always impressed with people who make science and math look as easy as breathing. Maybe it's just a matter of perspective. :)
ReplyDeleteI think your idea is awesome!! If we could make more real world connections for our students, I think the lights would click on for them much quicker. Why no, my life has never depended on me being able to do Trig, but without my awesome math teachers and one great art history professor, I would never had known that Trigonometry helps us develop beautiful architecture. If that isn't creative and innovative, I don't know what is.
I can't wait to see your final project! Good Luck and Great Job!
Twila, I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm for teaching! Connecting math to the real world should definitely help students become more creative and such lesson may well be innovative. I really like your idea of encouraging students to explore different conclusions and situations from the one they are given. I wonder how it really looks like in an actual math lesson. Do you have an example?
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