REAL WORLD MATH: Integrating STEM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.
(Formerly: MORE REAL WORLD MATH)

In the past, the teaching of mathematics has often been a skill-based, content-free experience. Yet, math is a fundamental component of much of our modern world and can be taught using real world problems, data, and examples.  We see examples of real life math in business, the sciences and even when playing games and solving puzzles.

This course will take advantage of Internet resources in the use of real life math.  By assessing resources on the web, we will begin to prepare a portfolio of both on-line and off-line classroom projects that can be used to teach math in your specific classroom.  This course will introduce you to a vast array of ideas, many of which can be integrated into any classroom.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

1. Improved their knowledge of math resources available on the Internet.
2. Improved their level of experience navigating the Internet and using some of the applications.
3. Expanded their knowledge of real life math applications that can be used in K-12 classrooms.
4. Gained knowledge of basic mathematical research as seen in a variety of real internet applications.
5. Developed an awareness of some of the issues and concerns associated with teaching real world math applications.
6. Added to their repertoire of mathematical instructional strategies.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit. The Heritage Institute does not award partial credit.

HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns participants their choice of CEUs (Continuing Education Units), Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, or Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours. The Heritage Institute offers CEUs and is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, and Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours.

UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires 75% or better for credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.

1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments 30%
2. Completion of Learning Application assignments 40%
3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment 30%

CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education Quarter credit is offered on a Credit/No Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to a "C" or better, 500 level credit is equal to a "B" or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.

AUS Continuing Education quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering, determine with your district personnel, department head, or state education office the acceptability of these credits for your purpose.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

REQUIRED TEXT

None required. You will need high-speed (DSL) Internet access in order to easily view online resources.

None. All reading is online.

MATERIALS FEE

None

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:

Wendi Fein, M.A., enthusiastically brings her years of teaching experiences since 1980 to the development and implementation of her courses. Presently, she is teaching Adult Education, Developmental Math and English as a Second Language at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma Washington.  

She spent 25 years teaching in K-12 public schools with a focus on special education, math, dance, PE, study skills and English/World Cultures. In addition, Wendi has traveled and volunteered extensively, bringing her stories and passion for human rights and equity into the classroom. Wendi holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Special Education.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

REAL WORLD MATH: Integrating STEM

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

WEBSITES: CURRICULUM- INTERACTIVE PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS

http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/projects/projects.html#other-current  A variety of K-12 cross curricular projects that link students to other parts of the country and the world. FOR EXAMPLE:

http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/projects/math/20tosses/coin96.html Toss a coin twenty times, and compare your class results with other schools across the United States.

http://www.cyberbee.com/weatherwatch/ Students in different climatic zones exchange specific weather   information which is posted on the World Weather Watch Automated Results page so teachers and students can do global comparisons.

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312134/  This site is designed to help you learn in a fun way. We've made problems that are not only challenging but fun. We also have different resources to help you with your work. We have 3 fun games for different levels of math.

http://www.nationalmathtrail.org/ Participate in the National Math Trail by helping your students discover math in the world around them by creating math problems about what they see and what they want to know.

http://archives.math.utk.edu/k12.html - For teachers grades K - 12

Different links to different mathematical sites.  Lesson plans and links to lesson plans on many different topics can be found here. It’s nice if you are searching for a specific topic. 

 http://mathforum.org/ - “the Math Forum at Drexel” This site is good for anyone, all ages, teachers, parents.   The problems change from week to week and they are made especially for middle school students. You can compare your answers with students across the country or work with others in your class.  It has Ask Dr. Math where you can get help with your homework.  It has lesson plans, projects, web compilations and other items that are helpful to teachers.

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/math/  As with all PBS site this is nothing but quality, a must see and use! Lovely videos to use as introduction to math applications, but the videos are not about math, but about science and engineering in broad terms, without specifically focusing on “how is math used to do such and such”

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/CURRICULUM REFORM.

http://www2.edc.org/mcc/pubs/mbiblio.asp   This publication is an annotated bibliography of articles relevant to Standards-based mathematics curriculum reform. It is intended for educators and communities considering the selection or implementation of Standards-based mathematics instructional materials. It may also be helpful to individuals interested in learning more about the challenges of and effective practices for using Standards-based programs in mathematics.

http://www2.edc.org/mcc/default.asp The K–12 Mathematics Curriculum Center aims to help teachers and administrators make thoughtful, informed decisions about mathematics curriculum and instructional materials. Our projects explore and analyze how curriculum decisions are made in K–12 mathematics programs, provide resources that support good curriculum selection and implementation, and connect research and practice in mathematics instruction.

http://www2.edc.org/mcc/pubs/mperspectives.asp Perspectives on Curricular Change is a collection of edited interviews with users of 12 National Science Foundation-funded, comprehensive mathematics curricula. Three books make up the series, providing perspectives from teachers, administrators, and developers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Perspectives on Curricular Change aims to provide readers with a better understanding of the ways in which Standards-based curricula differ from traditional textbooks, and to offer a glimpse into the experiences of real people who have implemented these programs.

http://standards.nctm.org/  Links to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards.