Math in the real world

Hello everybody. As a part of my web 2.0 class, I am trying to find ways to teach calculus to students through non-conventional teaching techniques. This would include using web 2.0 applications such as blogs and podcast. My partner and I have decided podcast would be the best way to go, but are they any other ideas out there that would use the new applications and be able to reach the students?

Nick B and Joseph D.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Pemberton on February 12, 2008 at 8:18am

Nick and Joseph,

I'm always a bit fuzzy on what is included in Calculus, but am currently toying with some ideas for an excel application for math.

The project would include collecting data (hair or eye colors in a class for little ones, weight (average) of various fruits, and area of continents, oceans and both combined. The data would be put in an excel spreadsheet, totaled and/or averaged by inserting appropriate formulas, then graphed using the graphic options in excel. In the case of the areas of oceans and continents, the graphs could be circle rather than bar graphs, and the total area compared to total area of the planet, and determining what, if anything, is missing (lakes, islands, etc.)

Would this be useful to you? Can you make any suggestions to improve my budding ideas?