Graphs and Networks for Years 7 to 10: Reasons for and Ways of Using Digital Technologies to teach Algebra and the Standard Normal Curve

Autor/in	Padula, Janice
Titel	Graphs and Networks for Years 7 to 10: Reasons for and Ways of Using Digital Technologies to teach Algebra and the Standard Normal Curve
Quelle	In: Australian Mathematics Teacher, 70 (2014) 3, S.16-24 (9 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0045-0685
Schlagwörter	Graphs; Networks; Mathematics Instruction; Algebra; Technology Uses in Education; Secondary School Mathematics; Foreign Countries; Models; Games; Documentaries; Films; Social Media; Internet; Student Interests; High School Students; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Grafische Darstellung; Mathematics lessons; Mathematikunterricht; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Ausland; Analogiemodell; Game; Spiel; Spiele; Documentary film; Documentary films; Dokumentarfilm; Film; Soziale Medien; Studieninteresse; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Australien
Abstract	If educators want to interest students in mathematics (and science), they must engage them in the lower forms of high school or even earlier (Fisher, 2012). So, teachers should always consider a topic's ability to interest students in the early years of instruction in high school and its topicality. Networks have come into prominence recently with an episode of Four Corners on ABC (Gould et al., 2013) and the popular film, The Social Network (Fincher et al., 2010) so discussion of the program or the film and even a viewing of one or two scenes, along with discussion of aspects of social networking such as Facebook and Twitter, are a good way to introduce the topic. Graphs are representations of networks and it makes sense to teach them together. Also, teaching them together can be an interesting example of applied mathematics and how mathematicians and scientists work together collaboratively when applying mathematics and developing a new scientific theory (Jacques, 2008). It is a good way of teaching mathematics in context. The topic is also relevant to the new Australian curriculum re graphs and graph theory (ACARA, 2011) and it provides an excellent opportunity to "embed digital technologies so that they are not seen as optional tools" (ACARA, 2009, p. 12). This article shows how graphs and networks can be introduced in Years 7 to 10 in a variety of ways depending on: students' interests, their preoccupation with the Internet, game playing (Reynolds, 2009) and social networking sites such as Facebook, and teachers' co-operation with physics, science, or even, drama teachers (Guare, 1990). It shows how a good documentary on the subject with an intriguing title--"How Kevin Bacon Cured Cancer"--can also be extremely useful (Jacques, 2008). (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). GPO Box 1729, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: office@aamt.edu.au; Web site: http://www.aamt.edu.au
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2022/4/11