home

TECHNOLOGY
Current list of suggested technologies for text: calculator, ruler, metre stick, tape measure, computer/internet (for unit conversion tables/calculators), geometry set, geom software.

Some thoughts about technology for the new math texts: eg: http://swivel.com Include a sample assignment as project based on content from the website. Another good site for real data to work with is the Weather Network, eg: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/statistics/C02067/camb0244 Here's one from the US: http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/country/caportal.html
 * This curriculum "comes in" in two years and will likely be around for from 5 to 10 years. Have to think in terms of that future when thinking about technology in the curriculum.
 * Don't focus on generic software (like spreadsheets, WP, etc) focus on specific Open Source, freeware or web based applets. eg: www.geogebra.org
 * Incorporate Interactive White Board (IWB) tips
 * Include links to helpful sites that complement using an IWB eg: http://fooplot.com
 * Include links to sites that contain fodder for long term project or short time assignments.
 * Population data is good in this connection too. There are more sites than you can shake a stick at.

Web 2.0 pedagogies (using blogs, wikis, podcasts, etc. in the mathematics classroom) is another broad, and deep, tech based avenue that could be explored.

I think this is just scratching the surface. There's is so much good content and pedagogy that can be amplified by leveraging some of the latest technological advances .... and they are ALL FREE.

PROBLEM SOLVING AS PEDAGOGY
"problems" general have three parts:

(1) data/information/circumstance (2) question(s) (3) solution

Standard PS approach is : Given (1) and (2) find (3)

A non-standard approach might look like:

(a) Given (1) and (3) create (2)

or

(b) Given (2) and (3) create (1)

Leads to richer problems and more engaging learning context.