Library of Uses › Mathematics

6th Grade math from Jackie Ionno

Description

This VoiceThread was created by the student and shows that he really got the intent of the assignment. It shows effort, creativity, organization, and a mathematical knowledge of the the real world. To see other great examples of this project you can browse (ionno, math).

Benefits to students

• VoiceThread notes: Students learn to use technology.
• Students learn to develop problems in math, and present them to peers for feedback in a collaborative online setting.
• Students learn new ways to approach math and express the processes they engage in to solve problems.
• Students think critically about what they have learned.

Process/Assignment

This was the third exposure to VoiceThread for my classes so they already knew the basics of using VoiceThread. However, this was their first time to create their own. This was a major challenge and since I really had no idea how much they were capable of I set very little parameters. I wanted to give them the ability to be creative. Therefore, I did very little pre-planning and addressed issues as they arose.

The assignment was to present a VoiceThread showing how their parents or any adult would use math in the real world. They could use a PowerPoint or a video. I did expect that they would show at lease one math concept in the project. Although I didn't change my objectives during the project, I certainly have made changes as to what I will do next time.

Challenges or setbacks

I can't say that there was anything easy about this project. Everything was hard. I had over 100 VoiceThreads to review and comment on. At first I thought it would be a good idea to issue one login and password that everyone would use. I thought it would give me control over what was happening and I could assist them easily when they had problems uploading or if they forgot the to assign tags, etc. I found out quickly that that was not a good idea as we overloaded the account. That then caused more problems when I had to change my initial directions.

Tools

In this particular VoiceThread, a video camera and video software were used to create the video for the project.

Tips

I learned that PowerPoint does not work well if there is music or audio associated with it. If I were to do this project again, I would encourage them to use videos only. They embed beautifully and they are more enjoyable to watch. I learned not to have the child do their own moderating because they do not keep up with it and then no one can see their comments.

Variations

Next year I would like them to take one math word problem and explain it as if they were the teacher.

The VoiceThread