Video Blog: Guide to Graphing Software for Math and Science Exams, Labs, Assignments, and Handouts

Graph 4.4 and Desmos.com

Graph 4.4

Graph 4.4 is a great freeware program for producing math and science graphs for exams, labs, assignments, and handouts.  Graph 4.4 can be downloaded at http://www.padowan.dk/download.  You will need administrative privileges on your computer in order to install the software, but ITS can also do this for you.  I found this gem thanks to Google and CNET.

Here's a video guide to Graph 4.3 that I produced a year ago as a guide to how to use and embed in MS-Word for the Mathematics 30 development project:

Click here to see the video in full screen:  http://www.youtube.com/v/FMrOVjIB04I  

Graph 4.4 can be used in many different ways to enhance teaching and learning.  The exam and assignment templates for math and science encapsulate Graph 4.4 in the Quick Parts making the insertion of these item types effortless.  Furthermore, this program is a tremendous learning tool for students.  I wish I had access to software like this when I was a student.  Instead, I made my own graphing software in QBasic on a Tandy 1000EX--graphing a relation was so slow you could see each individual point appear on the screen one at a time.  By contrast, Graph 4.4 is lightning fast.

Desmos.com

The best web-based graphing tool I know of is Desmos.com.  You can log on to Desmos.com using an existing Google Account.  You can store your graphs at Desmos.com, share them with students as a URL, or embed them Google Sites.  Unfortunately, you can’t embed Desmos graphs in Google Documents--yet.

Click image to open the Desmos graph.

Amazingly, because Desmos is written in HTML5 rather than Flash, it will run in almost any device, such as an iPhones and iPads.  An iPad app is also available; an iPhone app will soon be available.

And, perhaps most useful of all, Desmos easily implements sliders for parameters, a great learning tool for students.  See this example:  https://www.desmos.com/calculator/gojtzw3ral .

Desmos graphs can be exported to Google Drive as PDFs, downloaded as images, embedded in web sites, and emailed to students.

Regards,
Michael Gaschnitz

Curriculum REDESIGN from Alberta Education

(Image from “Curriculum REDESIGN Conversation Starter, Alberta Education, 2013)

At the “On the Same Page” potluck breakfast, Keith mentioned that the government is planning to revise the entire K-12 curriculum in the next few years. Here’s some information about this project from education.alberta.ca.

This informative video conveys some of the spirit of the project. Terry Godwalt, a Curriculum Coordinator, says that “We’ve constructed this other reality, which is one of textbooks and videos--artificial constructs. If we want students to be prepared for the real world, we need to make our classrooms about the real world.” I’m always a bit cautious when anyone speaks of the “real world” as if they were in full possession of it.  However, he has a point--perhaps Alberta's courses lack fidelity to, or are a pale reflection of, the world outside the brick walls of institutions.

The pamphlet entitled Curriculum REDESIGN Conversation Starter describes the outcomes Alberta Education is focused on and asks us how we can help move this vision forward: “How can we build on what we as a school/district are currently doing to empower EVERY student to become an engaged thinker, and ethical citizen with an entrepreneurial spirit? What do we need to do more of?”

Furthermore, in Curriculum Development Prototyping, Alberta Education is seeking vendors who can develop curriculum “that is competency focused, digitally based, and built on a foundation of literacy and numeracy. It is an opportunity for school authorities to showcase and build on the innovative work they are already doing that aligns with the vision of Inspiring Education.” I think we could have a real opportunity here  to collaborate on new curriculum. For example, perhaps there is room for a High School English course that is based on writing and reading skills that are directly related to business, health, science, and engineering?  This would seem to fulfil the "Entrepreneurial Spirit" outcome.

Regards,
Michael

Curriculum Development Media Love

Can you feel the media love?!

As you may have noticed, the Media Development team has been very busy. There are posters and bookmarks sprouting up all over the department to provide information on projects both ongoing and upcoming, as well as posters on our philosophy of collaboration starring Didi Smart. Lusine, Jenny, and Carey have been working with a Realtime Board to create amazing images for the posters, and to work collaboratively together in real time. 

The Media Development team also delivered a very well received workshop of media curation at the first On the Same Page day on October 9. If you missed the session, don't despair, the media wizards have posted their materials to the Foundational Curriculum website under Professional Development. Once you complete the post-workshop exercise, let the media team know so you can get a stamp in your passport and work your way toward a Media Curator certificate! The certificate maps are posted around the department and on the website, so take a look to find out the professional development opportunities that are available to you. 

Please take a moment to read the posters, production map, and the magnetic board with project stages. You will no doubt find them interesting and informative. 

The media team loves to talk shop, so please contact them with any comments and questions.