EDUC115N - How to learn math(s)

Well I have now started the Jo Boaler course:

 

https://class.stanford.edu/courses/Education/EDUC115N/How_to_Learn_Math/about and I'm really enjoying it. It is the best use of a MOOC I've seen. The videos are very short and you are given a task to do between each one. I've read her book and Carol Dweck's mindset one so I thought most of it would be familiar but I was wrong and there is loads of new things.

 

I can't believe I haven't read
http://mysite.science.uottawa.ca/mnewman/LockhartsLament.pdf before. It was something I thought I had read but when I read it I found it mindblowing. Also I didn't know that secant was to do with 15th century nautical tables. I really recommend it. It also explained the US maths system a bit which has always confused me. The course is open for new students until September so if you haven't signed up have a go.

 

Other summer projects

 

Python coding - I've got a bit stuck. I should have taken notes as I went along. I will keep going and make notes from now on.

 

Learning to run - been a bit lazy as we're in a heatwave but will get back on it.

 

Learn to draw- did an upside down drawing that wasn't too bad.

 

Twitter- I've been on it as much as usual. The Boaler course hashtag is #howtolearnmath by the way

 

http://www.dailydesmos.com/ - not yet

 

Goodreads 2013 reading challenge - read a few books on holiday last week and I'm now only 5 behind my target. My favourite of which was The age of miracles  by Karen Walker.

 

Toddler new words - cheese

 

Blog again before September - achieved yay.

 

 

Summer 2013 Projects

Afternoon All,

 

Today I have a day at home toddler free so I thought I would revive my very sporadic blog. Every summer I like to set myself a few projects to feel like I have achieved something with the generous holiday I am granted by the UK education system. I have done this for years starting with the summer I taught myself to touch type on my electronic typewriter with a book from the library aged 14. My summer holiday starts this Friday, we finish earlier than schools in Further Education (FE). So here are this summer's projects:

Take the Jo Boaler Education Course

 

How to Learn Math starts on the 15th July and I'm very excited about it. There are a lot of reluctant maths learners in FE and I'm hoping this course will give me some clues on how to win them round. I really enjoyed The Elephant in the Classroom.

 

Learn to code in Python

I took a Java course at university and hated it. I had to use SPSS as part of my job as an analyst and found it very frustrating. I saw a Maths lecturer use Python for looking into proof at a talk at the University of London we took our A level students too and felt compelled to look into it further. I started a codecademy course on Python and am enjoying it so far. Anything with Monty Python references has got to be good.

 

Learn to run

 

Last week I downloaded the Zombies run 5k training app. It is an app that tells you a story about zombies whilst encouraging you to run. I've quite enjoyed it so far though it intersperses the story with your music and I would prefer more story.

 

Learn to draw

 

Whilst reading the excellent Mindset by Carol S. Dweck she recommended a book on teaching terrible artists how to draw Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards. I have bought the workbook and am currently learning how to see things properly to draw. I have always said I am terrible at drawing but I really haven't practised it very much. It annoys me when people boast about their terribleness at Maths but I have been the same about drawing so I'm going to try and change that.

 

I am also going to:

• stay up to date with my personal learning network on Twitter using #mathchat #ukedchat #UMFac.
• try and solve at least one dailydesmos.
• catch up on my reading for the Goodreads 2013 reading challenge (currently 8 books behind to reach my target of 50).
• teach my toddler a few more words (currently has cheers, ready, steady, go, up, bye and daddy) and read to him more.
• blog again at least once before September.

Enjoy your summer readers,

Vx