Education
http://seeingmath.concord.org/
The Concord Consortium's Seeing Math Telecommunications Project, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education, "develops multimedia case studies and digital tools for elementary and middle school mathematics teacher professional development." The core feature of this project are the Internet-based video case studies, which explore "the way individual teachers meet the challenge of implementing standards set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)" and are used as part of the organization's professional development courses. The cases are used as a starting point for participants to discuss their own practice as they follow the decision-making process of the case teachers. The team notes that the videos are "not presented either for critique or as recipe for emulation" but as a way for teachers to "reflect on and inform their own practice." Samples of the videos are posted on this website, along with information on the project, the participants, and related publications. Links to other programs that are seeking pilot participants are also provided. [VF]
http://www.vts.rdn.ac.uk/tutorial/maths
Internet Mathematician is offered through MathGate, which is part of EEVL: the Internet guide for Engineering, Mathematics and Computing and based in Information Services at The University of Birmingham. The website "is one of a set of free tutorials within the RDN Virtual Training Suite, created by subject-specialists from universities and professional organisations across the UK." The tutorial offers tips on Internet searching and suggests ways to evaluate the resources you find. Some pitfalls of Internet searching, such as the cost for subscriptions on some sites, the reliability of information, and the sheer volume of information are also discussed. Throughout the website are periodic quizzes and suggested websites (some of particular interest for mathematicians), which can be added to a "links basket" for retrieval later. The "reflect" section offers three scenarios for practical ways a mathematician might use the Internet. The Teaching Pack section provides materials that can be used in a classroom or workshop on using the Internet. A Glossary also reviews some Computing and Internet terminology. [VF]
The WebQuest website offers various resources for teachers looking to use the WebQuest model to teach with the Web. A WebQuest "is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web." The model, developed in 1995 at San Diego State University by Bernie Dodge with Tom March, has received significant attention in recent years. The bulk of the website is located in the Readings and Trainings Materials section, where teachers can find the paper that started the WebQuest project, as well as various articles providing different perspectives on what the WebQuest is all about and how to proceed to create your own lesson using the Internet. Examples of WebQuests created by teachers and a template with sections such as Introduction, Task, Process, Evaluation, Resources, and Conclusion help guide you through the process. The Portal provides updates on WebQuest news (mostly workshops and conferences) and a link to the Top rated WebQuests, as well as some "Middling" WebQuests, and new ones that have not yet been rated. The WebQuests in their database as well as various articles can also be searched from the Portal. The Forum section is a place for "conversations about using and extending the WebQuest model." [VF]
Teacher2Teacher is published by MathForum and similar to Ask Dr. Math (See NSDL Scout Report for Math, Engineering, and Technology, February 15, 2002). The difference is, Teacher2Teacher is "a peer-mentored question-and-answer service" and intended to serve as "a resource for teachers and parents who have questions about teaching mathematics." Visitors to the website can search or browse the archived discussions by topic area or grade level, ask a question, discuss math education in the Teachers' Lounge, or look up some Frequently Asked Questions. When posting a message or question, you are asked to provide your name and email. Registration is not required, but will qualify you for a free copy of their newsletter via email. Questions are answered by Teacher2Teacher Associates. Anyone interested in becoming a Teacher2Teacher Associates can learn more about how to apply in the About T2T section. [VF]
This website from the Children's Discovery Museum (CDM) in San Jose, California, offers a variety of interactive tools and games for children ages 4 to 10 years. The mathematics game featured is a card game called Arithmetic Rummy and requires a printer, while other features are more graphic-oriented. For example, an interactive video takes children through a short journey about energy, while another highlights water ways. The Teacher section provides additional tools and resources, which can be searched by grade level and then topic area. These lesson ideas can be used both on and off the Internet. Parents and teachers can also learn about other programs at the museum from this website. Registration is not required, but parents and educators are encouraged to register so CDM can "offer more personal experiences on the site for each child registrant" and "communicate appropriate educational content directly." [VF]
http://home.clara.net/sisa/index.htm
Simple Interactive Statistical Analysis (SISA), designed by a research consultant in the Netherlands, "allows you to do statistical analysis directly on the Internet." The program will calculate a variety of statistical procedures, including T-Tests, Poisson Distributions, and other calculations. The ability to perform analysis online provides users an opportunity to assess the software, which is also for sale. The Guide to Procedures provides helpful explanations of the different statistical procedures and guidelines for deciding on the appropriate procedure and filling out the calculation form. Numerous spreadsheets are also available to download. [VF]
