What does this image mean!

Satellite data have been around since 1960 and NASA and other organizations are making it easier to get free data.  In order to efficiently use these millions of pieces of data, we need to have a working knowledge of how intensities of red, green, and blue light may be combined to make millions of colors. 

In the satellite image on the right the land and water are obvious but what else could we learn?  We can monitor plant health using the proportions of light reflected from leaves. Combining this data with our understanding and observations of plant behavior and physiology helps us to quickly assess the quality of the local environment.  Using the free MVHImaging download the colors can be analyzed to provide other useful information--the location and density of urban areas, concrete structures and residential areas.

Interdisciplinary note:  Because mixing paint and mixing light do not produce the same results an opportunity for art and science integration is possible.  Digital imagery is all about mixing light!  Developing skills in this area could expose students to careers that brush the edges of pure science and mathematics--digital art, graphic design, arial photography, publishing, GIS/GPS, and cartography.

Bill uses blogspot for his Math 1 class blog.  Students can easily bookmark and access daily assignments anytime, anywhere.   In addition to the syllabus, students will find Characteristics of Student Achievment with descriptors that relate directly to the course.  Similar to a rubric this information provides students (and parents)  with clear expectations for the course.  Check out Bill's blog.

As an added plus, both blogs and wikis are accessible to parents.

A wiki allows users to add and edit content collectively but they can also be used much like a blog.

Jean uses a wiki for her Pre-calculus  class.  Students will also find a syllabus and helpful resources.   Jean added a feature that she says students appreciate and also saves her time.  Using unique and private student numbers she periodically posts a skills check spreadsheet indicating where students stand on particular skills covered.  This allows for more frequent student feedback an instructional practice known to increase student learning.  Visit Jean's wiki.

Online bulletin boards were pre-cursors to blogs, wikis and other communication programs.  BBs are a slightly different animal but with features similar to blogs.

Currently Ray uses his English Without Borders bulletin board to post prompts and get student comments on three futuristic novels.  His BB is set up so that only those with the user name/login may enter or comment.  One of the prompts has 75 comments and is indicative of student response rates.  Ray has also created an English Without Borders wiki where students collaboratively add information regarding their particular book.  That information will provide a tool for comparing all three novels.  Check out Ray's BB and wiki.

A few weeks ago I attended a day long MISTM workshop led by Dr. Pam Buffington.  I learned that the resources created and organized to support MISTM are not just for 7th and 8th graders.  The Mixing Paint applet on the right may seem "elementary" but it is actually quite challenging when used with guiding questions. 

Q:  Which is more "greeny"?

Possible Answers: 3 cans of green paint mixed with 6 cans of white OR 3 cans of green paint mixed with 5 cans of white. 

This math applet can be used to construct conceptual understanding of ratio and proportion.

Students predict and explain their thinking.  After they select the number of cans of paint from the pull down menu, then click on the mix button, the visual representations change dynamically.  Now they can explore many other scenarios and explain what they found out. 

MISTM was designed to examine the influence of a technology-infused professional development program for 7th and 8th grade mathematics teachers on the mathematics achievement of rural middle school students in technology-rich classrooms.  The program incorporated interactive technology tools, including online applets, to support middle school mathematics instruction, and prepare teachers to integrate these tools into the curriculum to help students attain the Maine Learning Results standards.

One of several menu links the MISTM Math Portal organizes 107 middle and high school appropriate math applets into the four MLR math clusters.  Just one that we explored was the Freudenthal Institute's Algebra Arrows tool.  It visually represents and models functions from the simplest addition equation to the most complex algebraic formula.  This applet lets students input variables, create tables and graph multiple functions. 

Pam Buffington developed student handouts for several applets that I can share--just let me know.