TQ #7

Gapminder is eye opening. It is truly impressive how many variables can be measured/displayed by the application. I experimented by changing each axis and observing the results when the graph is run. I also ran some simulations within just the U.S. states like the total number of registered vehicles versus income per person. I am most interested in technology growth - including cell phones, personal computers, etc. I was most curious to examine the relationship between income per person, population, and economic variables.

One of the most interesting graphs I created was the relationship between individual income versus number of cell phones.
http://graphs.gapminder.org/world/index.php#$majorMode=chart$is;shi=t;ly=2003;lb=f;il=t;fs=11;al=30;stl=t;st=t;nsl=t;se=t$wst;tts=C$ts;sp=6;ti=2004$zpv;v=0$inc_x;mmid=XCOORDS;iid=pyj6tScZqmEcKuNdFCUo6TQ;by=ind$inc_y;mmid=YCOORDS;iid=phAwcNAVuyj1jiMAkmq1iMg;by=ind$inc_s;uniValue=8.21;iid=phAwcNAVuyj0XOoBL_n5tAQ;by=ind$inc_c;uniValue=255;gid=CATID0;by=grp$map_x;scale=lin;dataMin=0;dataMax=334824000$map_y;scale=log;dataMin=162;dataMax=119849$map_s;sma=49;smi=2.65$cd;bd=0$inds=i239_t001980,,,,
Then I checked the total population versus the number of cell phones.
http://graphs.gapminder.org/world/index.php#$majorMode=chart$is;shi=t;ly=2003;lb=f;il=t;fs=11;al=30;stl=t;st=t;nsl=t;se=t$wst;tts=C$ts;sp=6;ti=2004$zpv;v=0$inc_x;mmid=XCOORDS;iid=pyj6tScZqmEcKuNdFCUo6TQ;by=ind$inc_y;mmid=YCOORDS;iid=phAwcNAVuyj0XOoBL_n5tAQ;by=ind$inc_s;uniValue=8.21;iid=phAwcNAVuyj0XOoBL_n5tAQ;by=ind$inc_c;uniValue=255;gid=CATID0;by=grp$map_x;scale=lin;dataMin=0;dataMax=334824000$map_y;scale=lin;dataMin=0;dataMax=1458024460$map_s;sma=49;smi=2.65$cd;bd=0$inds=i239_t001980,,,,
If you look at the graphs, take a look at China. The amount of cell phones in China just explodes between 1999 and present. The number of cell phones in China is almost double that of the U.S. At first I thought it was related to the population of China since they have over 1.2 billion people as opposed to the U.S. 200 million. But then when looking at the income per person, the same thing happened, and individual income in China did not rise any faster than it did in the U.S. during the same time period. In fact, the individual income in the U.S. is almost twice that of China, but the number of cell phones just exploded. I think this is a fabulous tool to use in an educational environment. Just using it on my own had me totally engaged and willing to experiment. The experiments made me think and ask questions, and even do some wikipedia research.

My only concern about the application is that it is somewhat complex to use. There are so many different options that it may be more beneficial for a teacher to provide students with a solid handful of simulation suggestions to keep them on track. While it enables students to be very creative and observe the relationship between two previously unrelated ideas, it is very easy for multiple simulations to cloud their vision. I also have a feeling that some teachers would experience a mild learning curve - especially those not very adept with technology.

Survey Monkey Results

Below are the results of my Survey Monkey survey:

1. Is this your first class about technology tools in the classroom?

• 33.3% Yes
• 66.7% No

2. What age group do you most prefer to work with?

• 0.0% K-5
• 16.7% secondary middle (6-8)
• 33.3% secondary high (9-12)
• 33.3% higher education (undergrad)
• 16.7% higher education (grad, MS, MA, PhD, etc.)
• 0.0% other

3. What technology tools have you encountered prior to the beginning of this course?

• Use of Smartboards
• Computers, Smart Board, LCD Projectors, overhead projectors, graphing calculators, digital cameras
• MS Office Suite; Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop Elements; MAC iLife Suite apps; Adobe Premiere
• SMARTBoard
• software used to create elearning: Articulate, Lectora, Captivate, Learning Management Systems (LMS) - Cornerstone and Sumtotal

4. Are there any tools you currently use when you are teaching?

• Laptops for all students, SmartBoard.
• Smart Board, computers
• Yes: Powerpoint primarily
• SMARTBoard
• n/a

5. What do you hope to gain from this course most of all?

• Learn how to best use the different technologies available and anticipate new changes.
• How to EFFECTIVELY engage students with technology and help them to not get frustrated
• an understanding of more tech tools and internet serach strategies
• A glimpse of the other tech tools out there
• New tools and technology and interesting ways to use them.

WISE inquiry

For my WISE inquiry I went through a module on Global Warming geared towards grades 5-8. I found the module to be VERY well done. It gave clear succinct facts supported by great visual aids and easy to understand/use navigation. The module linked to Discovery Channel videos, web-based Java applications, and other interactive media as well. There were periodic "challenge questions" which would ask a student to recall a fact from earlier. These questions did not really prompt much deep thinking but because of their close proximity to the information, kept the facts fresh. There were quite a few activities that forced students to think critically and analytically. I also found it interesting that the module made many references to the NetLogo global warming module we viewed in class last week. The global warming module is supposed to take 7 days to complete if the class spent 45 minute periods on it. There is a very well done back end to the module which enables the teacher to track the progress of each student or group from start to finish. I thought this was a great feature so that the teacher could identify students in need of help even if they do not ask for it. Overall, very well done module in my opinion.

Survey Monkey Sruvey

If you haven't already done so, please take a few moments to complete my survey, results will be posted Thursday afternoon. Thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=BH1OmEw9u3JscJ4hx8zS5Q_3d_3d

Welcome

This blog will host all of the posts for my TLT 470 course during the Spring 2009 semester.