Tools for Success: Calculator Math 1512 Post #6

I plan to continue this blog...although it won't be math anymore.  Instead I will focus on the rest of my schooling and my journey to becoming an educator.

As a final post, I decided I would post about calculators.  After all, we were supposed to post about things that we learned or tools that helped us along the way.  My calculator was my lifeline.  The truth is, it always was and probably always will be!  I was always allowed to use my calculator and I became dependent upon it. 

Is this good?  Is this bad?  Well, in my opinion, application is key.  However, there are many times when I KNOW how to apply something as well as compute the answer in my head.  It's simply faster to use the calculator. 

Here is an essay on whether or not calculators should be permitted in school.Calculators: To Be Or Not To Be?

What does this say about my future as an educator?  As of now I have decided that calculators are OK.  I will be sure to assess every student's knowledge of the application of math.  The calculator will be waiting for them at graduation, and the average household has a few of them in the junk drawer.  I don't care if you use calculators in my class.  (However, could you be so kind as to not use the one on your cell phone?  Thanks!)

Here is a neat video about calculation tricks.  Calculators have always amazed me.

Mean, Median, & Mode Math 1510 Post #6

Simple computation such as mean, mean, and mode is the type of math I enjoy.  I like to add a ton of numbers up and solve equations WITHOUT letters in them.  Growing up, I often found myself in the back seat playing with a calculator trying to spell naughty words <---NO! compute crazy things.  I would type in 556+43 and press the "equal" button hundreds of times until I hit a number with an exponent.  I may have been bored out of my mind slightly bored!  Anyway, I have always loved calculators. 

With that being said, I'm excited to teach my students about things such as mean, median, and mode.  However, I picture myself doing it much differently.  I may even delegate it out to P.E. class.  Who knows, in a couple of years, I may BE the P.E. teacher.  I must be prepared!

Here is an example of how I would teach something as simple as mean, median, and mode!  I would have the class go outside and we would break into groups.  We would complete simple acts such as running a lap or throwing a ball up in the air and catching it ten times.  Every group would have stop watches and would record things.  We would discuss converting seconds/minutes, minutes/seconds, etc.  We could then decide the mean, median, and mode for each group as well as the class.  We could work toward beating our record or we could change the activity up. 

Does it sound like fun?  I guess I always had more fun if we had class outside.  I would have the best of both worlds with this lesson.  We could be outside and exercising, as well as learning the intended information.  However, I think the most important fact is that the students would be engaged.  After all, if all goes well, we will do it again!