Monday, March 30, 2015

blog 3 extra credit - baxter black

Baxter Black
3/30/15
Professor Little
Blog 3 extra credit
1.      Wolfram Alpha – Mathworld (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/)
a.      Wolfram Alpha is self-described as the world’s most extensive math resource. The program is known for being able to calculate complex equations and delves into fields of math well beyond my level of expertise. The website is also very useful for people in lower levels of mathematics because it provides in depth explanation for the steps taken in every process that the user employs it for.
b.      A wide variety of skills are/could be required for what the user is requesting from the program. In general, basic computer skills, knowledge of language, and intent for purpose are required to successfully use wolfram alpha.
c.      This resource is very appropriate for my age.
d.      I would recommend this resource to all mathematicians. It is fantastically designed, easy to use, and employable at all levels of math.
2.      Math is Fun (https://www.mathsisfun.com/)
a.      This website is tailored for students in grades k-12. The content that it holds is simple and laid out in a design that appears to be friendly for children to use. The website is organized by topics. There are several features that show an attempt at connecting with the younger generation: games, social media links, and ‘prizes’. There is also a link for teachers – evidence that there can be out of class learning via the website. Due to the nature of .com sites I assume that math is fun has some sort of user cost.
b.      Basic skills in language, computer use, and intent of purpose are required at the lowest level to use this program.
c.      This program is not necessarily appropriate to me in college, I have comprehensive knowledge of everything on the website.
d.      I would recommend this website only to student’s k – 8 because I feel like high school students would make fun of how little kiddy it appears to be.
3.      Illuminations (http://illuminations.nctm.org/)
a.      Illuminations is a website that is specifically targeting teachers of students in grades k – 12. The website is more mature looking than other k – 12 websites. It has an equal amount of teacher and student content. In addition to the usual games, lesson plans, flashcards, and interactive lessons, the website also features success stories so that teachers and students alike can learn about how to successfully utilize the websites features.
b.      Basic reading, computer skills, and intentful purpose are required to successfully use this website.
c.      This website would not be appropriate for me. I already have a comprehensive knowledge of all the content on it.
d.      I would recommend this website to teachers, but not necessarily students as individuals.
4.      Purple math (www.purplemath.com)
a.      Purple Math is a free website that caters to math levels up to college algebra. The website is of a basic design with hyperlinks pertaining to math level on the right side and features of the website down the middle left. The website guides most users via links to mathhelp.com. It seems like purple math may just be a spur of math help.
b.      Basic reading skills and a 5th grade understanding of math are required to use this website.
c.      This website would be appropriate for me if I was planning to review material, but not to learn new content.

d.      I would recommend this website to people who intend to use math help because it seems like that is where the website typically funnels users.

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the interesting blog. I visited the Mathworld website and it's indeed easy to use and beneficial as well.

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  2. baxter,

    good resources! you would be surprised at how many high school students use mathisfun, mainly because it's fun, even if it does look flashy. for your part c sections of your analyses, i know you mentioned whether the sites were useful to you, but also include the age range of other individuals they would work for. and i would include that it is important to understand correct syntax to use wolfram alpha. it isn't effective if you don't know how to enter the formulas correctly.

    professor little

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