Comments on: What Won’t Work: FlickrCC

By: A. Mercer

A. Mercer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:15:09 +0000

@david: IF you find a way to use them, can you share? I’d be interested. If you find a solution, that would be a nifty idea too!

By: David Cox

David Cox — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:21 +0000

@Alice
Thanks for the heads up. I like the manipulative idea but, I am really struggling with the application. California is one of the only states with A rated math standards, yet we have the kids doing something with no real life application. Math should help explain reality…we shouldn’t have to struggle with finding a reality to explain the math.

By: A. Mercer

A. Mercer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:26:07 +0000

@dan: I’ll not inflict it on you and your blog, you make enough trouble on your own without my help, lol

By: Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:21:45 +0000

My argument lately is that sometimes you have to make “fair use” of copyrighted images, but that’s another ball o’ wax.

Ain’t that the truth.

By: A. Mercer

A. Mercer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:02:10 +0000

@Dan, I get your point for your lesson, and what you’re doing, BUT…I still find it a good resource for visual images.
If your point is you have to have more than flickr CC, I think you are dead on. I would give you different reasons for this being so with subjects like social studies, and English.

I love my flickr CC, but it’s not my only source. I snap pics, I use some other sources (like Time/Life on Google, Wikipedia, etc). What gets me is some folks tout flickr CC as the ONLY source.

My argument lately is that sometimes you have to make “fair use” of copyrighted images, but that’s another ball o’ wax.

By: A. Mercer

A. Mercer — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:50:26 +0000

@David, I don't know if this gets you all the way, but folks have been working with binomial and trinomial cube manipulatives in Montesorri pre-school for years. This would at least get you a concrete visual model, but still no real world app? Some have argued about how effective it is later ( example). Wonder what you could do with those in middle or high school.

By: David Cox

David Cox — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:59:55 +0000

I’ll keep looking if you do. Polynomial fractions are killing me. I can’t even think of a real life application to those, much less some sort of visual that will spark a discussion. I suppose the alternative could be to create some sort of a/v that models the situation we want to teach like linear systems. (ie. student A looking over her cell phone bill and reads off # text messages vs. cost over the course of a few months; student B with different provider does the same and then a discussion ensues regarding whose plan is better) A homemade video would beat the heck out of some of the word problems I have read dealing with these situations.

As for the digressions making the actual instruction easier: I completely agree. I find that even if I use Lateral Thinking puzzles as a warmup, the kids practice questioning techniques and they really have to think outside of the box. I am finding that even my “too cool for school” kids will kick in a question and that often translates into asking a thoughtful question about math down the road.

By: Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:31:02 +0000

They are limited. I haven't found anything to motivate factoring, for instance. Which isn't to say I won't one day. Or that we won't one day. But our weekly sojourns into mathematical media make factoring much much easier.

By: David Cox

David Cox — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:10:06 +0000

Dan
Do you think there is a limited number of mathematical concepts and/or skills that can be provoked by using images? Or do you feel that one can actully drive a curriculum with them?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:40:46 +0000

Dan – what can they do but gawp? Well if you put up two images side by side they can compare. From the same site or different ones. And middle schoolers are always challenged (in a good way, not a silly way) by a caption contest.

But point made – most of what I use flickrCC for is simply so I can get clipart out of my powerpoints, so we can take virtual journeys together. And for maths, I think you are spot on. You don’t need fancy shots, all you need is the right subject material and framing.