Connect the Mathematical Dots!

My Students

"We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher's hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world."€Â" -David Warlick

My students are intelligent individuals who are always looking to investigate real world connections to topics in the classroom.

Every day, my students ask how what we are learning is related to the world. Very often, I tell them stories about how math is used in the real world. The school that I am in is what you would call an average public school, but it is definitely behind in terms of technology on the campus. Every year my students are getting more and more tech savvy but I'm afraid that the school's lack of computer resources prevents me from creating real world simulations.

My Project

My students need a Microsoft Surface 3 with cover, mouse and carrying case to participate in online math and writing activities. My students will use the Microsoft Surface 3 to investigate the real world applications of math in the class. Every day I give my students a warm up that helps the students build on prior knowledge. However, I would like a different student each day to research a connection of the algebra concept to a real world application. With the materials I am requesting, my students could research an online simulation that creates understanding of a math concept. They could also use the tablet to write projects and to upload student teaching on my teacher website.

I think this project will improve my classroom in many ways.

Students will learn how to research real world applications that we can use to explain how mathematical concepts extends beyond the four walls. We can use online math resources to visually represent mathematical concepts which some students find difficult to understand without a visual aid. Finally, the students will have access to a computer to write and print projects. Up to 300 students will benefit this year.