Creating in Math Class

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When I began Cohort 21 I knew I wanted to focus on how I could integrate computer science and coding into my Math classroom. I wrote about the project I created to try this in an earlier post. The short version is that the students built a computer program that solves basic equations from their science class.

I just finished marking these projects, so the pro’s and con’s along with the impacts it has had on the students are fresh in my mind. The project gave the students a chance to:

  • investigate and understand a mathematical process in more depth (solving equations) while refining their skills using that process;
  • see another side of how Mathematics is done in the real world;
  • reflect on what it means to be a mathematician/problem solver when powerful computers are easily accessible and a key part of the process; and
  • develop a real world transferable skill while creating an authentic product.

My goal moving forward is to create projects and tasks which replicate and expand on these ideas.

I have decided that I would like to find new ways for students to code, build, or create their own tools for solving problems by further exploring computer science and robotics. Coding an “Equation Solver” was a fun start, but what other concepts could the students code? Besides just creating software, what hardware/sensors are available for students to solve a wider variety of problems? These are exciting questions and I can’t wait to explore them.

Here is my first shot at word-smithing all these ideas into one sentence for an Action Plan:

Giving students a deeper understanding of Mathematical ideas and expanding their perspective on the scope of Mathematics by giving them opportunities to create, program, and build their own technological tools.

7 thoughts on “Creating in Math Class

  1. Andrew,
    I am by far a math or computer person. My first computer experience coding was back in 1989 using (DOS, I think), and we had to make dots shoot out towards the screen. I just couldn’t do it. I wish I had been a student in your class! Your project idea sounds amazing!

  2. We are exploring the same approaches here at BVG to build off of the Hour of Code. You should connect with Anthony Chuter and Laura Gleeson who are integrating code into their classes with an eye on how to expand this to allow students to code assignments for History, Math, etc…

    @anthonychuter
    @lauragleeson

  3. I love that students are not just playing around with the coding, but actually creating a product, a tool in fact, that they can see is useful to them.

    What a great way to challenge students as well as help them develop additional 21st century skills!

  4. This is really interesting Andrew! I am going to forward your blog to our Computer Science teachers here at the school. Thanks to Garth as well for sharing Anthony Chuter and Laura Gleeson’s Twitter handles…

    My son who is in SK got a coding board game for his birthday from my sister. It’s neat, we’ve played it a few times and like Garth we’re looking to build on our Hour of Code experience here at LCS. Code is growing and I am not sure if you’ve checked out this website https://jobs.prehash.com/. I don’t know much about coding but all you need is an email address and you can start coding real problems. Perhaps it’s too complex?

    I very much look forward to seeing what you come up with!

  5. Andrew,
    What a great plan. I love how you have already prototyped the project and reflected on how it went to make next steps moving forward. Also, the process that you have students going through is very similar to the Design Thinking process. So many great connections here!

    Speaking of great connections, you should also check out the work that @tchambers and @agregson are doing in their classes, as there are many connections to your work.

    @ddoucet thanks for the link to PreHash – going to share that with some of my advisees who are interested in pursuing computer science.

    Les

  6. Andrew,
    Remind me on Friday to tell you about the game of Set (Mastermind) and coding games, as well as the Big Data Challenge. This comment probably belongs in both this post and your latest – I just had trouble posting it a couple of weeks ago (technology!).
    I really like where you have taken your ideas and how you have implemented them. I look forward to hearing more about your journey on Friday.

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