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Re: Algebra in Seattle
Posted:
Jun 26, 2009 6:10 PM
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> Kirby, thanks for the links, there is a lot there and
> it will probably be this evening before I can consume
> it all. But after getting through the open source and
> software highlights, and to the educational aspect of
> it all, what is it?
>
> Are you suggesting that we should be using tools like
> mathmatica and matlab, but in open source format,
> with math? Except like in parallel, not instead of as
> is the case of the DA book?
No, I'm suggesting NCTM share the road with IEEE etc.
and from now on, along at least one math track (the
digital math track) we'll have plenty of hours for
learning at least two computer languages, not necessarily
in meticulous detail, but as a replacement for using
calculators for sure. I suggest Python and J as a good
combo, but other teachers will choose differently.
Yes, Mathematica is a computer language, an executable
math notation, and O'Reilly's School of Technology has
plans to use it for math certification in another context,
but I'm talking about a high school digital math track
where we use an open source zero cost computer language,
preferably an "agile" such as Python or Ruby (in the
earlier grades we might use Scratch, Alice other tools,
to help get 'em ready).
For a more spelled out understanding of this philosophy,
see: http://www.4dsolutions.net/presentations/p4t_notes.pdf
Here's one of our textbooks, available in PDF if you
want to opt out of killing too many trees:
http://www.skylit.com/mathandpython.html
We also use YouTubes and the web a lot. I've summarized
many of the details from my Saturday Academy work over
the years, helped other gnu math teachers launch their
own pilots (e.g. in the anglophone Philippines, a training
ground for future math teachers and tutors, given world
shortages).
>
> I am an interested but I need time to read all you
> have published there. But can you give a short
> synopses? thanks
>
I frequently summarize yes, in my blog and elsewhere.
This one on Focal Points is pretty good:
http://mybizmo.blogspot.com/2006/09/focal-points.html
(short, to the point, way better than anything from
NCTM I'd hazard, feel free to point to something more
pithy if you know of anything).
Also, there's the NCLB Polyhedron and NCLB Polynomial,
both filed about in this archive but easily summarized
as well:
http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2006/10/nclb-polyhedron-memo.html
Take your time, rest assured you're under no time
pressure to study these materials. This train left the
station some years ago, has been gathering momentum ever
since.
Here's another useful page I threw together for the
Oregon Curriculum Network (OCN), which works closely
with CSN (a buncha coffee shops) when it comes to
commercializing some star student work (e.g. Koski's).
Yes, it's home grown, not that slick or big budget, but
full of meaty content:
http://www.4dsolutions.net/ocn/ (see programming resources
especially, cp4e.html, named after Guido's DARPA-funded
program by that name (Guido is our BDFL)).
In terms of the MITE, that's a topologically minimal
tetrahedral space-filler, mentioned by H.S.M. Coxeter on
pg. 71 of Regular Polytopes but not with that name.
A lot it's about nomenclature (namespaces), i.e. unless
you know about Mites, you won't get Sytes or Kites, all
of which are integral to our approach:
http://coffeeshopsnet.blogspot.com/search?q=MITE
Here's a pile of MITEs from my talk at OS Bridge, in case
you're unfamiliar with your basic USA geometry in the
21st Century (true of many teachers, we're aware of the
problem -- a national priority to provide remediation
where needed, at least in some lawmakers' minds).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17157315@N00/3640809997/in/set-72157619963850814/
Kirby Urner
Portland, Oregon
PSF 09 (python.org) (voting member)
ISEPP (isepp.org) (board member)
4D Solutions (4Dsolutions.net) (ceo)
CSN (cmo)
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