Tool Fest Flash

Whiteboard


No. Message
1
martin, 12:41 (17.06): joins the room
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martin, 12:42 (17.06): leaves the room
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martin, 12:44 (17.06): joins the room
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martin, 12:46 (17.06): leaves the room
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cynthia, 13:39 (17.06): joins the room
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cynthia, 13:43 (17.06): Hello and welcome
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cynthia, 13:50 (17.06): leaves the room
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cynthia, 13:52 (17.06): joins the room
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 Johann, 13:53 (17.06): joins the room
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 Johann, 13:56 (17.06): Hi, Cynthia!
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cynthia, 13:56 (17.06): Hello @: Message 10: To whole message 
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cynthia, 13:57 (17.06): Just practicing while I wait for folks to arrive 
13
 Johann, 13:57 (17.06): Great. Did you happen to hear from Kristin? @: Message 12: To whole message
14
cynthia, 13:58 (17.06): no, not today 
15
  martin, 13:58 (17.06): joins the room
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  martin, 14:01 (17.06): hi there!
17
 Johann, 14:01 (17.06): Cynthia you may want to use the top left corner as your point of reference to paste pictures because you never know how small people's screens are 
18
 Johann, 14:02 (17.06): Hey, Martin @: Message 16: To whole message 
19
cynthia, 14:02 (17.06): Hi Martin, It is great to have you join us again  
20
  martin, 14:02 (17.06): thx.. but I have to admit: I didn't do the homework for today :-( @: Message 19: To whole message
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cynthia, 14:03 (17.06): We've been having a discussion among the teachers about Concert Chat  
22
   Annie, 14:00 (17.06): joins the room
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 Johann, 14:03 (17.06): Very nice! @:   
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cynthia, 14:03 (17.06): That's ok, you can make up for it with extra work during the call @: Message 20: To whole message   
25
  martin, 14:03 (17.06): any ideas for further development are welcome @: Message 21: To whole message 
26
 Johann, 14:03 (17.06): I just looked at this applet, not the others. @:   
27
cynthia, 14:04 (17.06): Well, we'd sure like to see shared apps @: Message 25: To whole message   
28
cynthia, 14:04 (17.06): Hi Annie, and thanks for all your help with today's session   
29
 Johann, 14:04 (17.06): This is probably something that Steve would say given his interest with "feedback" but imho, Try Again is a very basic type of response for a wrong answer. @: Message 25: To whole message  
30
  martin, 14:04 (17.06): without the referencing stuff that's no big deal. But it's tricky to refer to a running applet :-) @: Message 27: To whole message 
31
 Johann, 14:05 (17.06): Oops, I thought Cynthia had asked about the Applet... sorry. @: Message 29: To whole message  
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   Annie, 14:05 (17.06): She will, don't worry! @: Message 31: To whole message
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    Suzanne, 14:02 (17.06): joins the room
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cynthia, 14:06 (17.06): tell me more about that @: Message 29: To whole message    
35
 Johann, 14:07 (17.06): Well, I guess this is just one of the things I remember from the literature in Intelligent Tutoring Systems. If the "conversation" between the system and the student is not really meaningful (e.g. too basic feedback) then the learner tends to withdraw from engagement, and for instance just try random options until an "Excellent" response appears   
36
 Johann, 14:08 (17.06): As a teacher, what would you tell me if I selected this option? @:    
37
cynthia, 14:08 (17.06): oh, i see, yes, and a similar situation is when they get these canned hints that totally don't relate to the mistake that they actually made    
38
 Johann, 14:08 (17.06): Exactely! @: Message 37: To whole message   
39
  martin, 14:08 (17.06): on the other hand: if the system pretends to be intelligent (but isn't it's fun to fool it. Or you get frustrated that it doesn't understand you @: Message 35: To whole message  
40
 Johann, 14:09 (17.06): That is the beauty of human feedback, which also has its flaws but, at the same time, is very adaptive and creative @: Message 39: To whole message   
41
cynthia, 14:09 (17.06): that's an excellent question, would there be a "universal" suggestion    
42
cynthia, 14:10 (17.06): welll, annie could tell you lots of feedback given from novice humans that was way off track    
43
  martin, 14:10 (17.06): I guess a "universal" reaction would be: why do you think that one is different? @: Message 41: To whole message  
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cynthia, 14:11 (17.06): or how is that one different    
45
   Annie, 14:11 (17.06): but that implies that the computer actually wants you to answer that, when in fact it's probably not equipped to do so...so that's fake as well. @: Message 43: To whole message 
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 Johann, 14:11 (17.06): Or it could be an actual activity that leads to a "conflict" sucha s putting the circles on top of the squares @: Message 43: To whole message   
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  martin, 14:11 (17.06): not, if the system doesn't provide a field for the answer @: Message 45: To whole message  
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cynthia, 14:11 (17.06): right it would only give them the opportunity to think about it but not to submit it    
49
 Johann, 14:12 (17.06): interesting. @: Message 47: a field    
50
   Annie, 14:12 (17.06): if I were a kid and it asked me that, I would think it wants an answer, and then I would be confused because I don't know how to tell the computer. @: Message 47: To whole message 
51
  martin, 14:13 (17.06): it's a matter of how the feedback is phrased I guess @: Message 50: To whole message  
52
 Johann, 14:13 (17.06): or how the activity is constructed or sequenced.. it doesn't have to be verbal feedback all the time @: Message 51: is phrased   
53
   Annie, 14:13 (17.06): Right....or there could be a version of this (the ideal world, whre kids are willing to answer such questions) where the kid could type their answer to the "why" question and it would be saved for their teacher. @: Message 51: To whole message 
54
  martin, 14:14 (17.06): yeah but that's quite a delay till s/he gets a response @: Message 53: it would be saved for their teacher.  
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cynthia, 14:15 (17.06): let's look at another one    
56
   Annie, 14:15 (17.06): correct, but if you could get kids to even use a feature like that, the teacher would learn a lot! @: Message 54: To whole message 
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   Annie, 14:16 (17.06): In any case, there has to be some sort of learning. Perhaps there are standard "wrong" answers, such as switching circles/squares, etc, and you have one of each type of those answers each time, it could say, "No, that actually has the property of.....". 
58
cynthia, 14:16 (17.06): I love that idea, Annie...And the how are they differnet @: Message 53: To whole message    
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cynthia, 14:17 (17.06): could be rich info for the teacher as well    
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   Annie, 14:18 (17.06): Sure, though it's expecting a lot of kids to do anythign useful there. More like, "Oh, I guess I didn't read the question carefully. Duh." @: Message 59: To whole message 
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  martin, 14:18 (17.06): and the argument-teacher feedback pairs could go into an ITS. This would enable the system to deal with similar arguments in the future @: Message 59: To whole message  
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 Johann, 14:18 (17.06): back to the "assessment" question from yesterday @: Message 59: rich info    
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cynthia, 14:20 (17.06): Yes, as this flash applet works, I'm not sure that it adds much value over the static version that I have on my website which suffers from the same shorcomings with resposnes to wrong answers    
64
   Annie, 14:21 (17.06): I'm wondering about the wording....what is the value of asking for the "same ratio" instead of a "ratio of 1"? Same implies that you're comparing it to something, but we're not really in this case, rigth? 
65
cynthia, 14:22 (17.06): Well, I wanted them to have to figure out what the ratios were. I'd very much appreciate hearing more about the wording. I agree it sounds awkward    
66
    Suzanne, 14:23 (17.06): When I read those directions I remember thinking am I looking across or down or what?
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   Annie, 14:23 (17.06): 'cause they really have the same _number_ of square:circle. 
68
    Suzanne, 14:23 (17.06): I only got the answer by accident
69
  martin, 14:23 (17.06): what about providing a field in each row where they can enter the ratio? Would that help? @: Message 65: To whole message  
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   Annie, 14:23 (17.06): I don't know when kids learn what, but it seems that they should know what a ratio of 1 is, and that you can also write ratios as just numbers instead of x:y. 
71
     gerirose, 14:21 (17.06): joins the room
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cynthia, 14:24 (17.06): Well the correct answer is the 8:6 and 4:3 right?     
73
  martin, 14:25 (17.06): I'd say: rows 3 and 5 @: Message 72: To whole message   
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   Annie, 14:25 (17.06): Yes. So I've now misread this question for the third time - and that includes twice just today! Sigh. Just ignore everything I've written so far. @: Message 72: To whole message  
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  martin, 14:25 (17.06): ups, sorry - rows 2 and 3 @: Message 73: To whole message   
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cynthia, 14:26 (17.06): so is that a problem, that you have to read it so carefully to keep it straight becuase it's constantly changing? See I like that, but it may be wrong if not even Annie can keep it straight.     
77
    Suzanne, 14:28 (17.06): I found it a problem only because I was "testing" to see if I was doing it right and I kept doing "Build Again" and at first I didn't notice that the questions changed. 
78
      ihor, 14:25 (17.06): joins the room
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   Annie, 14:28 (17.06): well, the question makes perfect sense, if you read it correctly. I think the problem I had this mornign was that I'd gotten like six questions of "which row has this ratio", and then there's this two-row question, and I didn't catch it. And now my brain is handicapped. @: Message 76: To whole message   
80
cynthia, 14:28 (17.06): so should we make it more obvious somehow, different color text or something @: Message 77: To whole message      
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    Suzanne, 14:28 (17.06): I like Annie's explanation - that's why I was trying to describe  
82
    Suzanne, 14:29 (17.06): what @: Message 81: why  
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   Annie, 14:29 (17.06): which parallels the other problem I had - I got like 14 in a row where the circles were on the left and teh squares were on the right, and then it changed them and I didn't understand the question - I thought there was an error. @: Message 79: To whole message   
84
cynthia, 14:30 (17.06): oh, so the randomizing feature, or whatever isn't working well enough      
85
     gerirose, 14:27 (17.06): leaves the room 
86
   Annie, 14:30 (17.06): well, it was working fine - that's how random works, after all! Maybe it was too random :-) @: Message 84: To whole message  
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cynthia, 14:31 (17.06): How do you think we could make it more ovious to READ the question @: Message 82: To whole message     
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    Suzanne, 14:31 (17.06): Hi Ihor! 
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     ihor, 14:33 (17.06): Hi!
90
   Annie, 14:31 (17.06): In general, the flash stuff (questions, feedback) need to be WAY more prominent, and GalaxyGoo and All About Ratios and all that peripheral stuff needs to be way less important. @: Message 87: To whole message  
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   Annie, 14:32 (17.06): When you're doing the Everyday Math games online, you don't even know you're at their site. It's just the game, so kids know exactly what to focus on. @: Message 90: To whole message  
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     ihor, 14:33 (17.06): I was just playing with this and remembered that there was a chat going on so here I am.
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cynthia, 14:32 (17.06): hi Ihor, great to have you     
94
  martin, 14:33 (17.06): I totally agree @: Message 90: To whole message   
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cynthia, 14:33 (17.06): thanks, Annie, I'll definitely pass that on to Kristin. If it's really going to be usable in schools, kids and teachers dont care about that, you're right @: Message 90: To whole message     
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cynthia, 14:33 (17.06): let's look at the sine curve one...would someone volunteer to go grab a pic of it     
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   Annie, 14:34 (17.06): she coudl have it linked from one of these fancy pages, but popup the applet itself in a new small window, so the kids can focus. @: Message 95: To whole message  
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   Annie, 14:34 (17.06): And Cynthia, is there a written activity to your version on your site?  
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cynthia, 14:35 (17.06): yes, with maybe a tiny black strip of a banner     
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   Annie, 14:35 (17.06): Maybe :-) @: Message 99: To whole message  
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cynthia, 14:35 (17.06): well, there's no tPow as such on my site     
102
      Kristin, 14:33 (17.06): joins the room
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cynthia, 14:35 (17.06): since there are no volunteers I'll go get that sine curve pic      
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      Kristin, 15:44 (17.06): I made it! :-)
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     ihor, 14:37 (17.06): I was just thinking about what I learned from doing all about ratios and Im not sure it helps to understand ratios any better unless I already know the answer.\ 
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   Annie, 14:36 (17.06): It sort of goes with Johann's pointer to assessment..are kids just supposed to use stuf like this and absorb knowledge that they can then show off and use at a later time? @: Message 98: To whole message   
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   Annie, 14:37 (17.06): How does the teacher know if they learned anything, or got any right answers, or were even on task? @: Message 106: To whole message   
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   Annie, 14:37 (17.06): Right. I dont' think it's so much a learning tool as a checking knowledge tool. If you think you know something about ratios, let's see if you're right. @: Message 105: To whole message   
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     ihor, 14:39 (17.06): It hard for me to say much about because there is so little context for what this does. 
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      Kristin, 15:46 (17.06): Greetings...worked out the tech problems and finally got here
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   Annie, 14:38 (17.06): Hey, Kristin!   
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  martin, 14:38 (17.06): hi Kristin! @: Message 110: To whole message    
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      Kristin, 15:47 (17.06): Hi :-)
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cynthia, 14:38 (17.06): Yeah, Kristin. Welcome      
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     ihor, 14:40 (17.06): I had to go see Cynthia's original site to see where they they were heading with the little flash quiz. 
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      Kristin, 15:47 (17.06): The sin curve tool is intended to be used in the classroom, to demonstrate the relationships
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cynthia, 14:39 (17.06): We havne @: Message 116: To whole message      
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cynthia, 14:39 (17.06): t started talking about it yet      
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cynthia, 14:40 (17.06): we were still on the ratios tool      
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      Kristin, 15:48 (17.06): ah, ok...it was on the screen :-)
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cynthia, 14:40 (17.06): Yes, I just grabbed it...sorry, but I fugured      
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  martin, 14:40 (17.06): it still is :-) @: Message 120: To whole message &     
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cynthia, 14:40 (17.06): that since you'd just joined us, we could talk a bit more about the ratios tool      
124
     ihor, 14:42 (17.06): I came late ... I can switch to sine curves! 
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      Kristin, 15:49 (17.06): I guess that Flash doesn't run on this board?
126
  martin, 14:40 (17.06): right @: Message 125: To whole message    
127
      Kristin, 15:49 (17.06): that's too bad
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   Annie, 14:41 (17.06): that would have been helpful for me to know when I was rating/thinking about the tool, since I wasn't sure what was supposed to be done with it. @: Message 116: To whole message   
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      Kristin, 15:49 (17.06): Annie, you would like more text on the page explaining what the tool does?
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      Kristin, 15:50 (17.06): or integrated into the tool itself?
131
   Annie, 14:42 (17.06): well, even something in the description in Math Tools would have helped some - "demonstration tool" or something, so that I don't think kids are supposed to use it by themselves and become one with the unit circle. @: Message 129: To whole message   
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      Kristin, 15:51 (17.06): ah, ok
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   Annie, 14:42 (17.06): But I guess having that on the page would help as well, since we know some folks don't come through Math Tools.   
134
     ihor, 14:44 (17.06): Also, Im influenced by the fact that Ive seen sketchpad models of this that makes me wonder whether a flash version would be important for me. 
135
   Annie, 14:43 (17.06): It would be if you didnt' have sketchpad. @: Message 134: To whole message   
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      Kristin, 15:52 (17.06): yes, Flash does have the advantage of near-ubiquity
137
     ihor, 14:45 (17.06): but I could run a javasketchpad version very easily. 
138
cynthia, 14:44 (17.06): I was thinking of a similar point, what is the benefit of the flash model over the Sketchpad? Is there a power in flash that can't be done with Sketchpad? @: Message 134: To whole message      
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   Annie, 14:44 (17.06): I try to make my tools in GSP and Java if at all possible, for a variety of reasons. But availability of GSP is one of them. @: Message 135: To whole message   
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  martin, 14:45 (17.06): Flash is more widespread @: Message 138: To whole message    
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cynthia, 14:45 (17.06): Here is the url of one done in Java Sketchpad.      
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      Kristin, 15:54 (17.06): is sketchpad cross-platform?
143
   Annie, 14:45 (17.06): I also think that the degrees/radians thing is confusing. It sort of implies tht we have to use degrees with a circle and radians with a graph, and some students might not understand the relationship.   
144
   Annie, 14:45 (17.06): Yes @: Message 142: To whole message   
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     ihor, 14:47 (17.06): I deal with a similar issue with the Matti tools that do things that are done with sketchpad. I think it would useful to talk about at some point the different ways that the different tools could be used for similar goals. 
146
cynthia, 14:46 (17.06): Yes, and developers optimize the strengths of their tool      
147
      Kristin, 15:55 (17.06): This project is due for a new version, by the way
148
cynthia, 14:47 (17.06): One thing that I like about this sine curve tool is that it is very simple      
149
     ihor, 14:49 (17.06): but they are less flexible. 
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cynthia, 14:47 (17.06): shows one thing only      
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     ihor, 14:49 (17.06):  
152
     ihor, 14:49 (17.06):  
153
     ihor, 14:49 (17.06): that's its strength - its simplicity. 
154
  martin, 14:48 (17.06): maybe it would be an improvement to show the angle in the drawing @: Message 148: To whole message    
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   Annie, 14:48 (17.06): Well, some of us use GSP because it's what we know really well. that's another consideration, of course. @: Message 146: To whole message   
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       gene, 14:45 (17.06): joins the room
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   Annie, 14:48 (17.06): It would help to understand which angle, yes. And that doesn't add a lot of clutter to the sketch. @: Message 154: To whole message    
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   Annie, 14:49 (17.06): Or have a button where you can hide or show that sort of thing. @: Message 157: To whole message    
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  martin, 14:49 (17.06): hi gene!     
160
      Kristin, 15:58 (17.06): if you could have any feature added to this, what would it be? 
161
   Annie, 14:50 (17.06): Also, the instructions button didn't work, though everything else did.    
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       gene, 14:50 (17.06): Hi Martin and all! Sorry to be late but another project (which may soon involve Flash) had me trapped.
163
   Annie, 14:51 (17.06): did you ever give the URL? Because I still see the default text. @: Message 141: To whole message    
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  martin, 14:51 (17.06): you have to klick on the small arrow on the right @: Message 161: instructions button     
165
  martin, 14:52 (17.06): it would be great if you could drag both points, also that on the curve @: Message 160: To whole message     
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   Annie, 14:52 (17.06): Ah, and you ahve to be right on it. Okay. I guess I expected it to work like other similar-looking buttons on my computer. @: Message 164: To whole message    
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      Kristin, 16:01 (17.06): Martin, that's something that has to be fixed. the whole green bar should be clickable 
168
   Annie, 14:53 (17.06): what she said! @: Message 167: To whole message    
169
      Kristin, 16:01 (17.06): :-) 
170
   Annie, 14:53 (17.06): And the horizontal axis seems more squished than I would have expected.    
171
  martin, 14:54 (17.06): true! @: Message 170: To whole message     
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cynthia, 14:55 (17.06): and it would be nice to show more than one period       
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  martin, 14:55 (17.06): depending on whether the yalready know pi, the axis could be labelled with 90°, 180° etc. @: Message 170: To whole message     
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      Kristin, 16:03 (17.06): cynthia...excellent suggestion! 
175
   Annie, 14:55 (17.06): or make teh horizontal axis scaleable, so that you could get as many periods as you want, but that the default could be one. @: Message 172: To whole message    
176
      Kristin, 16:04 (17.06): these things are very doable with recent versions of Flash 
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cynthia, 14:56 (17.06): oh, annie, that would be so cool       
178
   Annie, 14:56 (17.06): Yup. I'd say do the circle and the axis the same way - degrees or radians - and maybe give a button to switch back and forth. @: Message 173: To whole message    
179
  martin, 14:57 (17.06): great idea! @: Message 178: button to switch back and forth     
180
       gene, 14:57 (17.06): Hey, Kristin, how did you learn Flash and how long did it take (he asked hopefully) ...
181
      Kristin, 16:06 (17.06): Well, I've been working with Flash for ove 6 years :-) 
182
      Kristin, 16:06 (17.06): to do basic things was very quick to learn 
183
cynthia, 14:58 (17.06): and put a clock and a ferris wheel and other stuff on the cirlce so they could see this has real world applications       
184
      Kristin, 16:06 (17.06): learning ActionScript is much easier now, than when I started, because of improvements in the language 
185
       gene, 14:58 (17.06): Ouch, how do you suggest learning (<6 yrs, please!)
186
      Kristin, 16:07 (17.06): gene, what are your goals with Flash? 
187
cynthia, 14:59 (17.06): Ya'll is gene pulling us off task? :-)       
188
      Kristin, 16:08 (17.06): I'd suggest getting Colin Moock's book on ActionScript 
189
      Kristin, 16:08 (17.06): sorry...gene we can talk about this later, ok? 
190
       gene, 15:01 (17.06): To control images and videos (make them move in various ways and speeds, go from them to other activities. (Cynthia, depends on whose task--lets wait till these guys have their say, Kristin). Don't hit me again, Cynthia!
191
     ihor, 15:02 (17.06): While Gene was talking I found an applet that shows a sign curve sending a text message.... But now Im back. :-)  
192
  martin, 15:01 (17.06): meta-question: would you like to have a private chat feature in ConcertChat? @: Message 189: To whole message & Message 187: To whole message     
193
      Kristin, 16:09 (17.06): did I miss much of the discussion about the ratios tool? would it be alright to go back to the ratios tool? 
194
   Annie, 15:01 (17.06): I think it sort of relates back to the earlier question of what the strengths are of Flash and why you would use it instead of something like Sketchpad. If you're sure that Flash is the right thing, then it might be worth learning Flash. @: Message 189: To whole message    
195
     ihor, 15:03 (17.06): I would  
196
cynthia, 15:01 (17.06): so we could talk about something else gene likes, integral calculus did you all see that link on the homework       
197
cynthia, 15:01 (17.06): no, because then it's too hard to keep people working togehter       
198
   Annie, 15:02 (17.06): it's just as easy to have Instant Messenger open at the same time :-) @: Message 192: To whole message    
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  martin, 15:02 (17.06): but you need to log in twice @: Message 198: To whole message     
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      Kristin, 16:11 (17.06): as one of Flash's strengths, it's easy to get started 
201
   Annie, 15:02 (17.06): (Hey, folks, don't forget to use references when you reply to others - just doubleclick on the comment you're replying to before sending yours.)    
202
cynthia, 15:03 (17.06): I put this in the homework because it's an example of a flash animation that doesn't include the interactivity that Kristin's stuff does.       
203
    Suzanne, 15:03 (17.06): but we have IM always open in the Math Forum office so it's easy for us @: Message 199: To whole message   
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     ihor, 15:04 (17.06): oh now i get it. thanks. @: Message 201: To whole message  
205
cynthia, 15:04 (17.06): Also, everyone, please look at the school bus activity, it's so cute       
206
       gene, 15:04 (17.06): {yes, Martin, so Cynthia wouldn't give us a hard time :-) }
207
      Kristin, 16:13 (17.06): yes, the school bus activity is nice. I had some issues with it, though 
208
   Annie, 15:04 (17.06): And I want to know how this flash calculus thing is any different from paper. How does it help me understand better than reading a book? @: Message 202: To whole message    
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      Kristin, 16:13 (17.06): I found the drop area too small 
210
cynthia, 15:05 (17.06): yes, Annie did too...       
211
     ihor, 15:07 (17.06): School bus activity? @: Message 205: To whole message  
212
   Annie, 15:05 (17.06): and it wasn't just that - most of the time if you don't hit the drop area, the kid stays in front of the bus (sort of plastered on the side), so you know you missed it. But one time the kid got put behind the bus, so I figured it worked...but it didn't. @: Message 210: To whole message    
213
      Kristin, 16:14 (17.06): by the way, we have webMathematica on a server, so if anyone would like to collaborate on a project using it, please email me 
214
      Kristin, 16:14 (17.06): yeah, I found that a little frustrating @: Message 212: To whole message 
215
   Annie, 15:06 (17.06): Ihor, it's link from the page for this session - http://mathforum.org/workshops/toolfest05/flash.html @: Message 211: To whole message    
216
      Kristin, 16:15 (17.06): how do I get a link in here to open a brower window? my right-click options are disabled @: Message 215: http://mathforum.org/workshops/toolfest05/flash.html 
217
   Annie, 15:07 (17.06): And when the bus leaves, it pushes the leftover kids ahead of it! @: Message 212: To whole message    
218
   Annie, 15:07 (17.06): Oh, right...I should have put it on the whiteboard. I'll add it to Cynthia's. Then you can copy it. @: Message 215: ://mathforum.org/workshops/toolfest05/flash.html    
219
  martin, 15:08 (17.06): at the moment you don't :-( @: Message 216: To whole message     
220
      Kristin, 16:17 (17.06): but he transcipt of this chat will be clickable? 
221
cynthia, 15:08 (17.06): You gotta admit it's really cute, and cute really matters to this age, so if they could get their technical issues fixed, wow this would be awesome       
222
     ihor, 15:10 (17.06): I'm there. but cant find. Am I blind? @: Message 215: http://mathforum.org/workshops/toolfest05/flash.html  
223
   Annie, 15:09 (17.06): It's also good for practicing complements of 10, since there are 10 windows on the bus all teh time (as far as I know). @: Message 221: To whole message    
224
  martin, 15:09 (17.06): me neither. how is it labelled? @: Message 222: To whole message     
225
   Annie, 15:09 (17.06): No. It's "Count us In Game 7". Sorry! @: Message 222: To whole message    
226
     ihor, 15:11 (17.06): thanks. @: Message 225: To whole message  
227
      Kristin, 16:19 (17.06): I like the dancing monsters at the end :-) 
228
   Annie, 15:11 (17.06): And they don't get pushed out of the way by the bus! @: Message 227: To whole message    
229
cynthia, 15:12 (17.06): and it's good for introducing addition @: Message 223: To whole message       
230
     ihor, 15:13 (17.06): This must be a first. We're combining integral calculus with putting kids on a bus!  
231
       gene, 15:12 (17.06): Annie, to help focus kids to take things one step at a time this sort of flash presentation is a great thing. If you're just wanting to skim, paper is much better. @: Message 208: To whole message
232
   Annie, 15:13 (17.06): Do you use it as a sort of electronic chalkboard in class to demo and talk through, or in another way? @: Message 231: To whole message    
233
   Annie, 15:13 (17.06): So you can stop at each step and ask if there are questions? @: Message 232: To whole message    
234
cynthia, 15:14 (17.06): anticipation builds as we watch gene type, waiting...       
235
cynthia, 15:15 (17.06): :-)       
236
cynthia, 15:15 (17.06): this is how they must have felt when Moses was on the mountain       
237
      Kristin, 16:24 (17.06): haha 
238
       gene, 15:16 (17.06): I'd use it for self-study, maybe more for older kids. After roaring through a proof in class where they didn't have time to either take good notes or to follow, the lecture might prepare them to fill in details with the Flash presentation. We have a ton of this stuff from Larry H, but I've never assigned any. @: Message 233: To whole message
239
cynthia, 15:16 (17.06): Don't calc textbooks provide this stuff also       
240
      Kristin, 16:25 (17.06): with Flash and webMathematica, you could have real-time interactive examples @: Message 238: To whole message 
241
  martin, 15:17 (17.06): hm... I ran out of kids... (it can be fooled, too) @:      
242
cynthia, 15:17 (17.06): how is that, Martin       
243
     ihor, 15:19 (17.06): martin, how did you get the pointer to point left?  
244
  martin, 15:18 (17.06): if you drop kids between the driver and the first windows @: Message 242: To whole message     
245
       gene, 15:18 (17.06): But the real advantage of the Flash presentation is that you can present one concept at a time. If you have a textbook there's too much there and some folks can't stop and absorb one bite at a time. @: Message 239: To whole message
246
  martin, 15:18 (17.06): select "reference" and draw a rectangle @: Message 243: To whole message     
247
  martin, 15:18 (17.06): in the upper left corner of the whiteboard @: Message 246: reference     
248
     ihor, 15:20 (17.06): Ah ... I just pointed to the bus. @:   
249
      Kristin, 16:27 (17.06): I'd say another great advantage of Flash is the ability to create higly interactive experiences 
250
  martin, 15:19 (17.06): great! it's easy:-) @: Message 248: To whole message     
251
        steve, 15:17 (17.06): joins the room
252
     ihor, 15:21 (17.06): Now this is getting fun. :-) @: Message 250: To whole message   
253
      Kristin, 16:28 (17.06): www.levitated.net is an experimental art site, but much of the concepts can be applied to educational purposes  
254
cynthia, 15:21 (17.06): yes, I was frustrated with the calc stuff that it was a demonstration and not any interaction        
255
      Kristin, 16:30 (17.06): If I had someone to collaborate with, I could create some fun interactive stuff with Flash and webMathematica on calc @: Message 254: To whole message  
256
cynthia, 15:22 (17.06): Question: Is there benefit to dragging the point around the circle for the sine curve, rather than just watching the thing move around on its own?        
257
   Annie, 15:22 (17.06): @: Message 240: To whole message     
258
      Kristin, 16:31 (17.06): yes, whenever you "touch" you learn more @: Message 256: To whole message  
259
       gene, 15:23 (17.06): I'll bet motor involvement helps. @: Message 256: To whole message 
260
      Kristin, 16:31 (17.06): manipulating materials is important  
261
  martin, 15:23 (17.06): at least you should be able to stop it in order to explore the relation at a certain position @: Message 256: To whole message      
262
cynthia, 15:23 (17.06): And go backwards and forwards at any point which it allows you to do        
263
   Annie, 15:24 (17.06): if we think of it as a demo, we could ask them where cos equals sin, or other questions like that, and it becomes more obvious, tying things to the triangle. So it's good to be able to stop at those points. @: Message 256: To whole message     
264
      Kristin, 16:32 (17.06): control of experience give ownership of material  
265
cynthia, 15:24 (17.06): So wouldn't it be nice to be able to make the areas under the curve wider and narrower and watch the area come closer to the area under the curve. I'm sure that's out there somewhere        
266
cynthia, 15:25 (17.06): talking about another thing, not the circle        
267
cynthia, 15:25 (17.06): talking about the integral, of course        
268
cynthia, 15:26 (17.06): Martin, have you always been this trickster? Yesterday you cleverly figured out how to trick Sketchpad. @: Message 244: To whole message        
269
      Kristin, 16:35 (17.06): on the calc example, for me it would be helpful to give the different key elements in the equation a different color, and have that carry through the different steps  
270
   Annie, 15:27 (17.06): he wasn't tricking sketchpad, he ws tricking the viewer! @: Message 268: To whole message     
271
  martin, 15:27 (17.06): well, half of me is a computer scientist. I assume that is related to this:-) @: Message 268: To whole message      
272
  martin, 15:28 (17.06): I also did a lot of software testing in earlier times... @: Message 271: To whole message      
273
cynthia, 15:28 (17.06): that's right annie @: Message 270: To whole message        
274
      Kristin, 16:37 (17.06): good clean bug hunting habits :-) @: Message 272: To whole message  
275
cynthia, 15:28 (17.06): tricked them into thinking Sketchpad was wrong        
276
  martin, 15:29 (17.06): ups...have to improve my reputation ;-) @: Message 275: To whole message      
277
cynthia, 15:29 (17.06): actually, that's REALLY important, isn't it? to think ahead of time, what could be misconstrued. The PoW team does that all the time...        
278
cynthia, 15:30 (17.06): So could you fix the bus problem, by not letting the people go anywhere except the seats?        
279
      Kristin, 16:39 (17.06): yes. if this was my project, I'd ask testers to try and break it, and then try to make those breaking points more solid @: Message 278: To whole message  
280
cynthia, 15:33 (17.06): So we've looked at all the tools we selected, except        
281
cynthia, 15:33 (17.06): the conic section one which is another example of a demo        
282
cynthia, 15:33 (17.06): and the game which is really shockwave        
283
cynthia, 15:33 (17.06): I'd like to know the difference between shockwave and flash        
284
       gene, 15:33 (17.06): @: Message 279: To whole message 
285
      Kristin, 16:42 (17.06): shockwave is an old format, it's really Flash now @: Message 283: To whole message  
286
cynthia, 15:35 (17.06): so it's an early version of the same thing with two different names        
287
      Kristin, 16:43 (17.06): yes  
288
      Kristin, 16:43 (17.06): basically  
289
      Kristin, 16:44 (17.06): it has more to do with how the files were created  
290
cynthia, 15:35 (17.06): anybody look at the bingo game        
291
   Annie, 15:35 (17.06): I thought it was okay, but not artistically that great - the appearance of hte planes isn't consistent, for example. @: Message 281: To whole message     
292
      Kristin, 16:44 (17.06): I wanted more control when I played with it @: Message 291: To whole message  
293
      Kristin, 16:44 (17.06): like drawing the sections myself  
294
   Annie, 15:36 (17.06): I'm also not convinced that it would make perfect visual sense to someone who didn't already know the "answers". @: Message 291: To whole message     
295
cynthia, 15:36 (17.06): now that's a cool idea @: Message 293: To whole message        
296
      Kristin, 16:45 (17.06): :-)  
297
cynthia, 15:37 (17.06): run the plane through and watch the resulting figures, you could play with it until the "right" images appeared        
298
      Kristin, 16:46 (17.06): or use a tool to cut the plane @: Message 297: To whole message  
299
cynthia, 15:38 (17.06): so where are we? we have about 15 minutes. This has really been cool.        
300
cynthia, 15:39 (17.06): Anyone want to talk about the Concert Chat and the educational benefits of it?        
301
      Kristin, 16:47 (17.06): wish I hadn't missed the talk bout the ratios  
302
   Annie, 15:39 (17.06): We need folks to post summaries of our conversation to the discussions of the relevant tools. @: Message 299: To whole message     
303
   Annie, 15:39 (17.06): Also, everyone should rate the tools that we've talked about. @: Message 299: To whole message     
304
     ihor, 15:41 (17.06): I just did. Its an em game. I'm familiar with the everyday math games. There OK. But not worth the $$$ that they cost. Many of the games are just simulations of the card games without really taken full advantage of the medium they are working with. I also find the voice annoying. @: Message 290: To whole message   
305
       gene, 15:40 (17.06): Let's get Martin on board for Concertchat discussion so we can beat him up! @: Message 300: To whole message 
306
      Kristin, 16:48 (17.06): any questions about learning Flash?  
307
  martin, 15:40 (17.06): *smile* @: Message 305: To whole message      
308
   Annie, 15:40 (17.06): Kristin, you can read the transcript of the chat when we're done. But maybe folks wnat to share a few things here. @: Message 301: To whole message     
309
cynthia, 15:40 (17.06): You have to teach Gene over the next six years @: Message 306: To whole message        
310
      Kristin, 16:49 (17.06): great...what did you think of the icons menu @: Message 308: To whole message  
311
   Annie, 15:41 (17.06): Actually, you can get to just about all of them for free through our site. They aren't actually password protected, they're just "hidden", and we had links to them before they "hid" them...the links still work. @: Message 304: To whole message     
312
     ihor, 15:43 (17.06): Wow.. I got to get to know you better! :-)   
313
   Annie, 15:42 (17.06): We actually didn't talk avbout that. Appearance wise, we were more concerned about making the presentation more focused on the tool for the students, instead of the extra stuff (header, etc). @: Message 310: To whole message     
314
       gene, 15:42 (17.06): Yeah, should I first do the Moock book or any of the support material on the Macromedia site? Where to start is the big thing. @: Message 306: To whole message 
315
  martin, 15:42 (17.06): any comments for improving ConcertChat?      
316
      Kristin, 16:51 (17.06): email me off list, and I'll help you get started @: Message 314: To whole message  
317
      Kristin, 16:51 (17.06): it would be great to be able to click on a link and have it open a browser window @: Message 315: To whole message  
318
     ihor, 15:45 (17.06): The only problem is I cant use them for free with the teachers. Some one with a tight collar will snitch and I'll be in trouble. These tech admin are really fussy about things like copyright. @: Message 311: To whole message   
319
   Annie, 15:44 (17.06): Cynthia, shall we assign people to summarize our comments in Math Tools for each of hte specific tools?     
320
cynthia, 15:44 (17.06): let's see if they'll pick. who wants what        
321
  martin, 15:44 (17.06): yeah that's true @: Message 317: To whole message      
322
       gene, 15:44 (17.06): Hey Martin, from yesterday it appears that you already have thought of all my suggestions long ago. How b'out sending out a list of changes in progress? @: Message 315: To whole message 
323
   Annie, 15:45 (17.06): Posting that to the Tool Fest Lounge would be a good idea. @: Message 322: To whole message     
324
    Suzanne, 15:45 (17.06): I don't see how it's a problem if the URLs are out in the open and accessible?    
325
cynthia, 15:45 (17.06): being able to paste an image on the whiteboard would be nice        
326
  martin, 15:45 (17.06): thank you, we should do this on the ConcertChat website @: Message 322: To whole message      
327
       gene, 15:46 (17.06): (Suz, do you need a public apology?) @: Message 324: To whole message 
328
cynthia, 15:46 (17.06): ok, annie they're not voluneering, so we're going to have to start ASSIGNING :-)        
329
   Annie, 15:46 (17.06): go for it. I put you in charge for a reason! @: Message 328: To whole message     
330
  martin, 15:46 (17.06): you can do it in this version via screenshot. In other versions via the clipboard @: Message 325: To whole message      
331
     ihor, 15:48 (17.06): The one Im interested in is All about ratios.   
332
cynthia, 15:47 (17.06): ok, ihor that's yours, talk about both versions, ok?        
333
   Annie, 15:47 (17.06): And you can import images you've prepared beforehand. @: Message 325: To whole message     
334
cynthia, 15:47 (17.06): Kristen, why don't you rate and discuss the conics        
335
cynthia, 15:47 (17.06): Gene, you've got the integral calculus        
336
      Kristin, 15:45 (17.06): leaves the room  
337
cynthia, 15:48 (17.06): Martin, the bus       
338
     ihor, 15:49 (17.06): However its too limited at this point to be useful. If more is added ala Cynthia's website then we can talk!  
339
  martin, 15:48 (17.06): o.k. @: Message 337: To whole message     
340
      gene, 15:48 (17.06): yes, boss. @: Message 335: To whole message 
341
cynthia, 15:48 (17.06): great, anything else?       
342
     ihor, 15:50 (17.06): Oops...I thought we were doing it right now.  
343
cynthia, 15:48 (17.06): this was REALLY fun, ya'll       
344
        Kristin, 15:46 (17.06): joins the room
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cynthia, 15:49 (17.06): we're going to go post a discussion about it, right annie        
346
        Kristin, 16:57 (17.06): sorry, I lost access
347
   Annie, 15:49 (17.06): For those of you with an assignment, you should go to the Math Tools catalog page for that tool (from the web page for today's session) and start a discussion.     
348
     ihor, 15:50 (17.06): You got it! @: Message 347: To whole message   
349
   Annie, 15:49 (17.06): Once you've done that, we can link to that stuff from the page for today, to let peoplw know that the conversation is continuing.     
350
cynthia, 15:49 (17.06): What happened to the url of the page?        
351
     ihor, 15:51 (17.06): can I get a transcript for the entire session?   
352
    Suzanne, 15:50 (17.06): Also, there is a discussion that Cynthia started that I linked to from the home page    
353
    Suzanne, 15:50 (17.06): Jeff responded but others may also wish to respond    
354
  martin, 15:50 (17.06): probably Johann will provide that @: Message 351: To whole message      
355
    Suzanne, 15:50 (17.06): Math Tools home page, that is @: Message 352: home page    
356
cynthia, 15:51 (17.06): here it is on the textbox        
357
   Annie, 15:51 (17.06): I'll add that link to the flash.html page as well, as soon as we're done here. @: Message 351: To whole message     
358
     ihor, 15:53 (17.06): Thanks! @: Message 357: To whole message   
359
cynthia, 15:52 (17.06): ok, y'a'll, it's been great. This is our last live session of the week. Thanks to all of you for coming        
360
         Craig, 15:49 (17.06): joins the room
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        Kristin, 17:00 (17.06): thank you! 
362
  martin, 15:52 (17.06): thanks for the moderation @: Message 359: To whole message       
363
    Suzanne, 15:52 (17.06): Bye ya'll     
364
    Suzanne, 15:49 (17.06): leaves the room     
365
cynthia, 15:52 (17.06): bu bye suz        
366
  martin, 15:52 (17.06): bye all      
367
  martin, 15:50 (17.06): leaves the room      
368
cynthia, 15:53 (17.06): Martin, before you leave, I'll be in        
369
 Johann, 15:53 (17.06): Kristin, I am glad ConcertChat finally worked for you.      
370
cynthia, 15:53 (17.06): the office next week and would love to meet you. Will you be there       
371
    gene, 15:53 (17.06): More on ConcertChat: your web page isn't very apparent since your About page is rather bare. I think there are enough folks who have experienced the software this week that it's worth running some proposed changes by them.   
372
 Johann, 15:53 (17.06): Yes he will. (Martin left already) @: Message 370: To whole message      
373
      Kristin, 17:02 (17.06): thanks for the help @: Message 369: To whole message 
374
 Johann, 15:54 (17.06): We are in the process of organizing improvement for ConcertChat as part of VMT so all feedback is welcomed! @: Message 371: To whole message      
375
cynthia, 15:55 (17.06): I jsut saw that Craig is here       
376
  Annie, 15:56 (17.06): Hi, Craig.     
377
cynthia, 15:57 (17.06): so Johann, does someone turn off the lights? Does someone say, Elvis has left the building...:-)       
378
cynthia, 15:57 (17.06): bye ya'll       
379
 Johann, 15:57 (17.06): Not really... Elvis can stay as long as he wants to. @: Message 377: To whole message      
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cynthia, 15:57 (17.06): lol       
381
 Johann, 15:58 (17.06): You are welcome. (Sorry for the delay) @: Message 373: To whole message      
382
      Kristin, 17:06 (17.06): bye 
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      Kristin, 15:55 (17.06): leaves the room 
384
 Johann, 15:59 (17.06): Good weekend everyone! @: Message 377: To whole message     
385
      Craig, 15:59 (17.06): Hi, Annie (and everyone) I'm busy scrolling through previous comments... sorry I had to miss this! @: Message 376: To whole message
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 Johann, 15:56 (17.06): leaves the room     
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  ihor, 15:56 (17.06): leaves the room   
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    Craig, 15:59 (17.06): leaves the room
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   steve, 15:57 (17.06): leaves the room
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  gene, 16:02 (17.06): I'll keep the graveyard shift while I do other things, Craig if you have questions. @: Message 385: To whole message
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 Annie, 16:03 (17.06): leaves the room 
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cynthia, 16:11 (17.06): leaves the room 
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 Johann, 16:26 (17.06): joins the room
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 Johann, 16:27 (17.06): leaves the room