I'm particularly interested in the best method for teaching mathematics in an online environment to inner city (African--American) community college learners for an optimum learning outcome.
I need something that will get them motivated and engaged.
What grades? Have you access to PCs?
'BEST' is tricky as I'm certain you know. How about ' usually pretty good'?
Hello James,
Thanks for the feedback. I teach online mathematics to Community College African-American students in the inner city.
Ah, excellent.
I generally attach the content to something that they know about and enjoy; something that is otherwise innocuous. I am a video game designer and teach taa=ht at my home University. My suggestion is to have them build a video game for a PC.
Sounds tough, but free programs like GameMaker exist to make that mostly a point-drag-click thing. But there can be a lot of math in a game, and they possibly don't realize that. How hard do you toss a bird and at what angle to knock down a structure and expose the pigs inside? Can you launch a spacecraft into orbit? When two billiard balls collide, what happens? Tow cars? Two hockey players?
This could certainly involve some work on your part, and that's likely time you do not always (ever?) have. But I have seen students spend huge amounts of extra time working on things like these.
At the level of these students this would be easier than for lower grades. I would be happy to assist in ways you suggest - I personally do use GameMaker, but there are other choices, mostly more complicated. Gamesalad for the Mac; Unity. etc. I have some Gamemaker powerpoints, and would be available to do one or two Skype lectures if you like. If it works it would be great.
Sounds great James. I'm open to meet via Skype to look into this possibility. Please advise on open meeting times for you. Thanks for your offer.
I am on sabbatical right now so am reasonably flexible. Monday afternoon? You are in the Eastern time zone, I am mountain so is 3 PM mountain/5 eastern OK? Later is better, as I often have a morning meeting.
If it will take less than 30 min or so we could do today.
I'm okay @ 5 pm your time (8 pm my time) will be fine for me. Will that work for you?
Hello James,
I'm so sorry about the delay in my reply. My flight getting home was delayed, but I'm home now. You're absolutely correct, you're two hours ahead of me.Can we do 5pm (your time, 7pm (my time) ) today?
Missed your call. Can do one on fairly short notice this week if you still want to.
Sure. I can do one tonight around 10 pm (Eastern time). Please advise.
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