Math 30-1 and Math 30-2 Implementation Update August 2012 - Michael Gaschnitz

Here’s an update regarding the implementation of Math 30-1 and Math 30-2.  If you need anything, please let me know.

Calculators for Math 30-1 and Math 30-2 Exams

Please note that the calculator requirements for the Diploma Exams seem to be getting more restrictive.  The TI-83 and TI-89 Titanium are no longer permitted on any of the math or science diploma exams (the TI-83 Plus is still permitted).  A scientific calculator also seems to be excluded.  More information here:  Approved Graphing Calculators for Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2 and Science Diploma Examinations in the 2012-2013 School Year

Information Bulletins for Math 30-1 and Math 30-2

The Information Bulletin and Assessment Standards and Exemplars documents are available at:  http://education.alberta.ca/admin/testing/diplomaexams/exambulletins.aspx.  The Assessment Standards and Exemplars document is particularly useful as it includes items at both the Acceptable Standard and the Standard of Excellence.

Formula sheets for Math 30-1 and Math 30-2

The formula sheets for Math 30-1 and -2 are available at P:\Official Curriculum High School\MAT3791 and P:\Official Curriculum High School\MAT3792.   These are duplicates of the formula sheets contained in the Information Bulletins, above. 

PD Opportunity for Math 30-2 on September 20^th Offered by CRCPD

“As the new course of Mathematics 30-2 approaches this fall, there has been a lingering question about how to teach the first learning outcome and how to assess it.”

“1. Analyze puzzles and games that involve numerical and logical reasoning, using problem solving strategies. [CN, ME, PS, R]”

“In response, I designed exploratory learning activities for Absolute Value Publications that are structured for students and teachers to discover how to analyze games and puzzles that allows for personal style, yet with enough logical structure that the strategies and analysis can be assessed with multiple choice and numerical response questions. Please come and explore this style of teaching games and puzzles and see if you can make it your own in your classroom!”

See Games and Puzzles in Mathematics 30-2 for details.

Math 30-1 Resources

Please see P:\Official Curriculum High School\MAT3791

The solutions manual won’t be available for a few weeks, unfortunately, but as soon as the CD arrives I’ll post it on Google Drive and in the Anytime Online course.  The Anytime Online course is at:  https://sites.google.com/site/bvcmat3791ec1/home

Unit Exams 1 and 2 are complete, but I would like to have folks review them before they are posted.  If any of you would like to be a reviewer, please let me know.  Darcy Milino, Tracy’s sub, is working on the Unit 3 Exam and I’m working on the Unit 4 Exam as well as the Equivalency Exam.

Math 30-2 Resources

Please see P:\Official Curriculum High School\MAT3792.

A single paper copy of the solutions manual is available, please see me if you’d like to borrow it.  We’ll post the electronic version on Google Drive and in the Anytime Online course as soon as it arrives. 

Math 30-2 Teacher Collaboration at Alberta Regional Consortia

This learning opportunity is subsidized as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation:  http://learning.arpdc.ab.ca/course/view.php?id=176#section-10.  “This moodle site is accessible to High School Mathematics teachers across the province. The intent of the moodle is to provide the opportunity for Alberta teachers to engage as a community of learners. This could include sharing lesson ideas, instructional strategies, etc., as well as asking questions and responding to each other using the forums.”

Academic Foundations Curriculum Site

Additional useful links are available at https://sites.google.com/site/acfcurriculum/projects/course-development/math-30s-course-development

Learn EveryWare Courses from Tools 4 Teachers

You can download a copy of the Math 30-1 and Math 30-2 Learn EveryWare courses from www.learnalberta.ca.  The T4T courses are also available on the P: drive:

Math 30-1 Learn EveryWare Course

Math 30-2 Learn EveryWare Course

The T4T courses have a number of useful handouts, interactive activities, and videos.

If you have any questions or need anything regarding Math 30-1 or Math 30-2, please ask.

Regards,

Michael

WriteForward - project website launched

How do adults learn to write? How can assessment help their writing skills develop? How can English instructors use writing assessments as learning tools?

Those are a few of the questions we are asking as part of the new adult writing assessment initiative WriteForward. Over the course of the next couple of years we will be researching writing – from both instruction and assessment perspectives – and creating a new informal writing assessment resource for adults. This is the follow up and companion to ReadForward. This month we launched a project website which will serve as a hub for information on WriteForward: writeforward.ca. This will include reflections on the research we read, examples and explanations of the development of the WriteForward resource, and details about how other literacy practitioners can get involved along the way. We already know that research on writing and assessment for adult learners is rather limited, and we look forward to working with and adding to what is known.

Interested in more details of the project? See the Project Overview page. Want to get involved? See the Practitioner Involvement page.

You can also follow us on Twitter: @WriteForward.