In this activity, students conduct an investigation to determine the rate of change in the popping of microwave popcorn. Four volunteers will estimate the time in the popping process where the rate of change is at 5 chosen levels. Other students will collect data on number of pops during consecutive 5 second time periods and draw histograms. Students will understand the approximate normal curve for a real data set and the relationship between the rate of popping and the shape of the distribution. This activity also provides an opportunity for students to understand human errors in data collection because not everyone will have the same number of frequencies in the corresponding classes of their histograms.
In this activity, students conduct an investigation to determine the rate of change in the popping of microwave popcorn. Four volunteers will estimate the time in the popping process where the rate of change is at 5 chosen levels. Other students will collect data on number of pops during consecutive 5 second time periods and draw histograms. Students will understand the approximate normal curve for a real data set and the relationship between the rate of popping and the shape of the distribution. This activity also provides an opportunity for students to understand human errors in data collection because not everyone will have the same number of frequencies in the corresponding classes of their histograms.
"By the end of this section, you will have:
* explored multiplication with your pupils through visual means;
* used rectangular shapes to help pupils understand factors;
* used investigations to explore patterns in number series."
Number booklet coverDuring April 2008 Brombacher and Associates ran a four-day workshop for FET College lecturers on the assessment and remediation of the pre-requisite knowledge and skills assumed to be necessary for students to be able to study Mathematical Literacy. The workshop, presented by Aarnout Brombacher and Marc North,was attended by one lecturer from each of the 50 FET Colleges.
The workshop focussed on the use of pre-tests to determine the knowledge and skills that college students have at the start of the programme and on the teaching of the necessary knowledge and skills in those cases where the students do not have these.
Click on the "read more" link below to access the pre-test and remediation materials developed for the workshop as well as the powerpoint slide shows that supported the teaching these could be used by college lecturers in their remediation efforts.
Downloads:
Handout (44 pages): Numbers (download)
o Presentation: Order of operations (download)
o Presentation: Percentage (download)
o Presentation: Ratio (download)
o Presentation: Proportion (download)
o Presentation: Rate (download)
Handout (40 pages): Patterns and Relationships (download)
Handout (11 pages): Space, Shape and Orientation (download)
Students will investigate the field of architecture as a career choice, with specific research into the use of geometric shapes (polygons) in building design and construction. In the first part of the project the students will use a digital camera to record examples of the use of polygons in building design in their communities. They will present their findings to the class using a PowerPoint slide show. In the second they complete a drawing of a building as per the instructions in the Explain and Elaborate section