All Web2.0 tools need to have a certain 'critical mass' before they start to become useful - for example, YouTube is only interesting once a good number of people have uploaded some videos. With Twitter (and other social networking tools) I think you have to reach critical mass in two different ways: Critical Mass of … Continue reading Twitter and Social Networking
Blog
Awesome Free Maths Software
I could write a very long blog about free mathematics software, but don't really need to as someone else has done it for me a couple of years ago: http://math-blog.com/2007/06/02/3-awesome-free-math-programs/ Antonio Cangiano omits my personal favourite - Geogebra. In my view, this is one of the best pieces of mathematical software around. It's great for … Continue reading Awesome Free Maths Software
Work Smart 2.0
My top e-learning tip is not specifically for mathematics teachers alone, or perhaps not even just teachers: New technology is, by definition, fast moving and rapidly changing. There's a lot of interesting stuff out there and it is very easy to get overwhelmed by it all. I try to handle it by letting the technology … Continue reading Work Smart 2.0
A Vision of (Our) Students Today
I saw this on YouTube some time ago... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o Though this may be from the US, I feel that many of the issues presented are also relevant for us. I'm particularly interested in the lack of engagement/empowerment by students suggested by the video - students sitting in classes Facebooking etc. To me this almost suggests … Continue reading A Vision of (Our) Students Today
Teachers and Technicians
EDUCAUSE (http://www.educause.edu/) always seems an interesting read. Though based in the US, and mainly focussed on the US, it encourages contributions from around the world, including developing countries. As a non-profit org. all of its publications are available online for free but this has not stopped it gaining a good name in the e-learning field … Continue reading Teachers and Technicians
Pupils’ Drawings of Mathematicians
Much of the research concerning attitudes to mathematics suggests that pupils and teachers are generally negative about the subject. One of the most startling pieces of research I have come across is that of Picker and Berry (2000). They asked children from five countries to draw pictures of mathematicians. One of the resulting images, drawn by … Continue reading Pupils’ Drawings of Mathematicians