Matrix Learning Area

The new learning environment has been well received by the students. They are excited about the Matrix and eager to get started. It is bright and inviting. It has been great to be able to use the four rooms so effectively, with the students moving between rooms easily.

Haiku for Mathematics

The next challenge is that we have outgrown our Learning Management System, so are now designing a new way of delivering our mathematics to the students. Finding resources that are in line with our strands and utilise our technology is very time consuming. However, I am hoping that students who are struggling can continue to practice at home with the help of their parents, as there will be enough resources to give them direction and assistance.

3D Challenge

The extension of students is always a challenge. This term we are doing the human body. My idea for extension is for students to look at bionic's in people and I want them to create a 3D image of their bionic part and break it down and show how it all works.  Remembering these students are only 10 -11 years old, this could in fact be quite a challenge for both them and me.  So searching I have begun....looking for a program that could be used for this... have found a couple, now will they do what I want them to...

http://download.cnet.com/mac/3d-modeling-software/

If you know of a program that would be suitable for a Mac...would love to hear from you :):)

An exciting journey ahead. Can't wait to see what these kids can do :)

Example Task Card

STIMULUS CARD A4 – 3 points

Goal: Complete a Survey Monkey with classmates about their food preferences

For this task you will need:

·   Pre-requisite Lesson required before you start this task

·     Appropriate questions

·     Access to a computer

·     Access to the Internet

·     Knowledge of Excel Program

Overview: For humans to keep their body healthy they need to maintain a balanced diet and do regular exercise. In this task you need to research and compose questions to other students. Your surveys results need to be presented in excel with a graph and a detailed conclusion of what those results mean.

PRE-REQUISITE LESSON – Mrs McGregor (How to ask a question/survey monkey program)

 Step 1  - Research what makes a balanced diet and how much exercise is required for a student your age to maintain their health.

 Step 2  - Compose at least 10 questions from your research that will help you to determine how many students actually maintain a healthy life style. Ensure your questions are not repeating themselves. If you pose your questions so they cannot be answered with a yes/no answer, you should be able to get more details.

  Step 3  - Go online to Monkey Survey.  http://www.monkeysurvey.com/ complete the free sign up option. Design your survey using your questions from Step 2. You can select from a range of multiple choice or answer options.  Make sure you change the ‘collect results’ page to go to your email address.  Email your survey to 10 – 20 of your friends; ask them to complete your survey ASAP.

PRE-REQUISITE LESSON – Mr Wilson (Excel program)

  Step 4 – Compile your survey results in Excel, this program will also allow you to create a Graph to show the outcomes. You need to analyse your results and write a 100 – 200 word evaluation in ‘Word’ of what the results mean in relation to the research you did on healthy lifestyles.

Presentation: Complete this task and submit it digitally or as a hardcopy to your teacher’s in-tray after you have completed a self-evaluation.

Submit - Excel Graph, word evaluation  and self-evaluation.

National Curriculum:

Plan appropriate investigation methods to answer questions or solve problems (ACSIS103)

Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE098)

Maths Shack

In line with the new Matrix Learning style, we have decided to use the flipped classroom style for our Mathematics.  It is on our Learning Management System and looks something like the following:

Welcome to the Math's Shack

This year you will find doing Mathematics will be totally different. You will be required to complete a small quiz at home before we start doing each strand. On completion of your quiz, your results will determine where you need to go to complete your Maths lesson for that strand.
Each unit will start like this:
1. Complete the activityMaths in Genasses. This will be the icon that looks like . This is your pre learner and will tell us how much you know.

2. On completion of your test, you will go to the different rooms for your maths lesson in that strand. This is the Exodus phrase, and the icon will look like 

3. After your lesson, you will complete your Revelation. This is your post learner and will tell us if you have understood the concept. The icon will look like this 

Yet another part of our journey, this will take some setting up.  Parents and students will have to be educated on how it will work, if it is going to be effective. It will mean that students will be working at their true potential within in the streamed maths classes and hopefully we can fill any gaps they have in their understanding of mathematical concepts.

Matrix

Matrix Learning

Applying Constructivist Theory, Multiple Intelligences, and Bloom's Taxonomy

Benjamin Bloom’s taxonomy consists of six categories: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences has six components: linguistic, logical/mathematical, visual/spatial, bodily kinesthetic, music, interpersonal, and naturalistic.

Bloom’s taxonomy is sequential, while Gardner’s theory is one of concurrence. Taken together, these two concepts can be blended together to provide instructors to tailor class content to a very wide variety of learning types and abilities.

The significant characteristics of Bloom’s analysis, synthesis, and evaluation learning behaviors are outlined in the following table.

Characteristics of three selected categories from Bloom’s taxonomy of intellectual skills1
analysis		synthesis		evaluation
Separates material or concepts into component parts such that its organizational structure may be understood. Distinguishes between facts and inferences.		Builds a structure or pattern from diverse elements. Puts parts together to form a whole, with emphasis on creating a new meaning or structure.		Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials.

Julie Carwile argues² that constructivism, in conjunction with aspects of Gardner and Bloom’s multiple-intelligence work, is critical to student success in technology-enhanced learning environments. To permit students the most benefit from a constructivist teaching methodology, Carwile wrote that “Our personal perceptions of how knowledge is acquired ultimately guide our educational practice.”

http://www.zeraphoto.com/blog/applying-constructivist-theory-multiple-intelligences-and-blooms-taxonomy/

Tomorrow's School

http://vimeo.com/28425187

We have quite a journey to go on before we have it set up as well as what they have.  However, after speaking to them, they started in a similar place as what we are.  I am so excited to be a part of this journey....it is definitely 'Tomorrow's School"