Math Thinker

I’ve been using wikis for different projects lately. If you’re not familiar with how wikis are used you can view the quick video below from common craft that explains how wikis work.

A few months ago, I ran across an excellent wiki developed by a chemistry teacher: Chemistry with Mr. Olson

Chemistry with Mr. Olson has a periodic table on it’s home page. If you click on the elements in the table the links lead you do a profile page on that element. I image that each element was assigned to a student or group of students who then shared properties and descriptions of that element.

Click on the image to view the page on NA/Sodium on the Chemistry with Mr. Olson wiki

I can imagine a similar wiki being developed by a math class as they examine the different types of numbers. Or perhaps they could develop a wiki where students illustrate and explain how to complete some operations such as:

• Order of Operations
• Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing rational numbers
• Demonstrating operations on positive and negative numbers

For students and teachers who feel comfortable, they can actually film themselves explaining the concepts using manipulative, diagrams and whiteboards. They can post their filmed explanations right on the wiki. I’ve been reading a great deal about working with students today (also known as Milennials and Net Generation students). It seems that there is a growing argument that working effectively with these students requires a different approach than just lecturing and using workbooks. Engaging students in learning can take place when you have them create content or projects. A wiki would make a nice team project for a class.