Social Networking: A Math Collaboration
This project is intended for high school students with a strong interest in math, such as a math club or honors level class.
Introduction: Why do we need to learn all this math anyways? It's time to find out. In this project, we'll be collaborating in small groups of 4-5 students to create a virtual bulletin board with math news, interviews with mathematicians and more. We'll find real applications of math, learn how people use math and share it with our school. Note: This project could also be adapted to create a poster or newsletter for students.
Introduction: Why do we need to learn all this math anyways? It's time to find out. In this project, we'll be collaborating in small groups of 4-5 students to create a virtual bulletin board with math news, interviews with mathematicians and more. We'll find real applications of math, learn how people use math and share it with our school. Note: This project could also be adapted to create a poster or newsletter for students.
Step 1: Gather Math News
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/5/7/21575442/4027574.png?339)
Although you don't see it too often in the local newspaper, math is used in many fields and is at the core of research statistics. Let's start sharing links of math-related blogs, websites and resources as we build our website. Each student should sign up for our Diigo group (Math News), and begin adding resources to share.
Step 2: Interview Mathematicians
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/5/7/21575442/3660743.png?1374179901)
Part of understanding how math works involves understanding what mathematicians do. You will each do a brief Skype interview with a mathematician (professor, teacher, statistician, etc) . You can contact a family friend, or a mathematician at a local college or university. Be prepared to ask a few questions about his/her specialty, etc. The interview does not need to be long, but get at the essence of what and how math is used. You may take notes or record the call (with permission) for use on the website. For ideas on how to record Skype calls, see this post. To get started, create a Skype account and start searching for a mathematician to interview.
Step 3: Graphics
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/5/7/21575442/7193467.png?347)
Your site will need graphics to make the news, interviews and quotes come alive. Choose several different photos or illustrations that will make an impact. These could illustrate a math concept, show famous mathematicians, show a mathematical constant from nature, etc. Use an image related to some of the news and interview quotes you've gathered. Each student should join our Flickr group (Math News) and add images to the group site.
Step 4: Share your news
![Picture](/uploads/2/1/5/7/21575442/1374179991.jpg)
Your final step is the share the information you've gathered by creating a bulletin board on Padlet. Create a new account, and build a wall. Together, you will choose the interviews, graphics and news briefs to include, as well as links to blogs and resource sites. Your bulletin board should have the following elements, at a minimum.
- 1 or more interviews focusing on how math is used in real-world problems.
- 2 or more graphics relating to math
- 2 or more news items about math, answering the question 'How do I use it?'
- 3 or more links to outside websites, blogs, and other resources.
Assessment
Students should be assessed on both the final project, as well as the collaborative process. This can be accomplished in multiple ways:
- Students are surveyed at the end of the project, and are asked to rate others in the group on their level of participation
- Instructor is part of the groups on flickr.com, diigo.com and padlet.com, and oversees the process and final product
- Additional requirements can be given for the number of bookmarks on diigo, or number of photos submitted on flickr
- Interviews can be transcribed and turned in for an intermediate grade