2007 ITQ Workshop

This document outlines the integration of the content of the Workshop into the classroom by the participants. Any participant who would like to add their comments should send us the information electronically.

''I have spent more time this semester teaching the students the basics of TI-84+ calculator so they can better utilize them on the Gateway test. I also used the CBL2 in the application involving Direct and Inverse Variation. Thank you for all of the technology and information from the seminar.''

''The positive results of using the CBL equipment and the graphing calculators have been great. Many of our students are visual learners and using the equipment makes their learning more real to them and more memorable. Whenever I introduce a lesson using the CBL2, the students seem to remember the process of solving their equations, graphing, and writing algebraic expressions better. In other words, my grades are better. To better show math/science connections I have my math students go to the science lab and teach other students the experiment. There the science students can explain the science part of the work.''

''Comments about the workshop: It was full of new information and ideas for me to use. I not only learned how to more efficiently use the graphing calculator in my classroom but gained knowledge for myself. The books have been very useful in providing many activities. Of course the equipment we received is wonderful, and I am thrilled to have it for my classroom.''

''An update on my progress with the equipment is: I have used the temperature probe to demonstrate functions; I have presented the use of the equipment to my math department; one teacher is currently using the equipment in her classroom; I will begin using it to demonstrate slope in the next two weeks with my algebra one class.''

''I have already used two adaptations of the probability lab ''Gambler’s Fallacy'' with my Algebra 2 classes. Tomorrow my advanced algebra class is just beginning a section on scatter plots and linear regression. I am not far enough along to talk about logarithms yet in Alg 2, but plan to also use the lab we just did in the August workshop at Boyd Buchanan with the algebra 2 class when we discuss logarithms. Next week I am using part of the material we covered this summer on Matrices with my Algebra 2 class when we discuss solving systems of equations 3, 4, 5 equations with the same number of variables etc.
There has not been a day that has gone by so far this semester, that I have not shared something…maybe small…that I learned this summer, or had reinforced this summer in the workshop. We use the calculators, the applications and experiments as much as I can incorporate in the classroom.''

''Tomorrow we will use the temperature probe and do the exercise like we did Saturday. The penny exercise, ''Making Cents of Math'' has been adapted to use with Algebra I. Several of my students do deep sea diving so I will include the ''Pool Plunge.'' When studying proportions we will do the ''Stretch It to the Limit.'' To better show math/science connections I have my math students go to the science lab and teach other students the experiment. The ''What Goes Up'' lab will be presented when studying quadratics in the spring. ''And Now the Weather'' will be used this week with the beginning Stats class.
Students who have graduated tell me it has helped them in college labs.''

''THEC Algebra workshop
Plans to integrate workshop materials into my classes:

Math IV
As we study functions, I plan to use
Activity 2: Making Cents of Math - To review linear functions
Activity 11: That's the Way the Ball Bounces - To review quadratic functions
Activity 10: What Goes Up - To reinforce quadratic functions
Activity 19: Bounce Back - To review exponential functions

Statistics
I plan to use the notes on Correlation, Scatter Plots, Linear Regression and Basic Probability to extend my teaching on the correlation and regression unit and the probability unit.
Thanks for the useful activities and background material.''