MathsClass

I wonder how often maths teachers make confusing statements like this in class:

Single aged pensioners may lose one-third of an expected $30-a-week increase in the May 12 budget. [emphasis mine, front page of smh.com.au on 26th April 2009]

What they actually mean is that the expected increase will be $20.

Eating chocolate could improve the brain’s ability to do maths.

[full story: telegraph.co.uk]

AKA, justifying the use of Freddos in the maths classroom.

I need to learn to use GeoGebra because it looks like a fantastic app, it’s free and shortly our students will have their own netbooks, itching to use them. I find the best way to learn new software is to do something with it that you need.

This may be the first of several posts as I review the effectiveness of having an Interactive Whiteboard in my classroom.

The Biggest Loser, the Australian version, is again on television. This year, Year 9 are looking at Percentages at the same time.

The last week of term begins next week…

I have watched with interest the Digital Education Revolution proposed by the Australia Government. Issues of cost seem to have been resolved and I’ve resigned myself to the fact that the NSW DET is pushing a one laptop fits all model (although I think it’s flawed). I’ve read the tender for the “DET Learning Device” and have even dissected it with my computing class. But today, 1st April – fitting really – a significant step to realisation has been taken with the announcement of the hardware and software to be supplied.