Sign-Up

Anyone can follow a course on P2PU. Participating is the next level of engagement. The sign-up is a space where interested individuals can express their interest and background in the topic and commit to working with the rest of the participants. Please answer the following set(s) of questions if you want to become a participant or organizer.

Standard Set

This set of signup questions is common to all study groups, courses, ... in P2PU. The answers to these questions will be public once you get accepted.

Public Custom Set

This set of signup questions is particular to this course. The answers to these questions will be public once you get accepted.

Answers

• 
  CCounterman   Jan. 3, 2014, 4:40 p.m.

  Bio:

  Location: Pennsylvania

  Standard Set Answer:

  I teach a course that spends some time on the history of mathematics and the mathematicians that made us study what we do.

  I hope to get some more ideas to enhance my teaching.

  Depends on what's involved.

  Public Set Answer:

  1. I really like using interactive tools like fractal creators so that students can get their hands dirty and share their knowledge online and with others. Digital cameras make so much more possible than ever before. Having been at the forefront of websites, it still amazes how much more we can do now than before.

  Lately, any time a person talks about higher level mathematics (above calculus) I'm embarassed. I was mostly an algebra trained person and can't seem to think critically enough about topics like discrete math. I've fallen out of the habit of thinking critically.

  I would like them NOT to grab a calculator to do simple calculations and instead, understand that it is a tool for deeper understanding and processing of information and data.

• 
  Paul King   Sept. 13, 2013, 4:23 a.m.

  Bio:

  I'm an actuary, beekeeper and educator. Interested in mathematics education at all levels. Python, R and probabilistic programming.

  Location: UK

  Standard Set Answer:

  I'm interested in the use of technology in education because I hope to use it more in several fields across a wide range of ages / experience (i.e from age 12 mathematics, to adult beekeepers between 20 & 80, to highly able undergraduate and postgraduate mathematicians.)

  I would like to be be able to implement one symple platform and programmein each of the above.

   

  My time to help is very limited! but if there are areas where my skills are particularly useful.

  Public Set Answer:

  1. The technology that most excites me is that behind MOOCS - whatever that is!

  2. The most embarrassing thing is having to hunt for learning resources across my organisation when Iknow they have been developed and used once - this is as much a "people" issue as a technological one, but the technology has to support constructive behaviour :)

  3. Hmm, unsure. For many groups it would be extension of comfort usung tools other than email for sharing.

• 
  Anonym   Sept. 1, 2013, 1:47 p.m.

  Bio:

  am Jesmion Ibekwe, was born in approx. Dec. 1955, attended Nursery and elementary school, later proceeds to study with Manchester College, and bible college in Yenke Yekapa Liberia onlines, i was once the proprietor of a commercial school, named: 'ies-commercial-school' in suleja abuja, am currently a religion's teacher in 'mhsc' and with many internets, i was awarded with attractive badges by the peer2peer university community, 2013, as a super-blogger, hero, contributor, introduce, text-editor, live, event-certified and html's writer of 2013, etc. #education

  Location: Uruagu Umudioka, Dunukofia, Anambra, Hebo, Biafra, Nigeria

  Standard Set Answer:

  I like being educated in general maths

  Public Set Answer:
• 
  Alena   Aug. 31, 2013, 10:31 a.m.

  Bio:

  Location: Moscow

  Standard Set Answer:

  1. The topic itself is very interesting

  2. Get some new knowledge about math education 

  3. No

  Public Set Answer:
• 
  mirorakonto   July 11, 2013, 1:01 p.m.

  Bio:

  Location: Poland

  Standard Set Answer:

  I want to learn new methods of teaching.to improve the educational process.

  Public Set Answer:
• 
  sierraluv7   June 13, 2013, 6:46 p.m.

  Bio:

  I am interested in expanding my math and technology skills.

  Location: sydney

  Standard Set Answer:

  I am interested in this topic because I know that I need to improve my skills and cannot afford school.

  I hope to improve my skills in math and technology.

  Not at this time but perhaps I can be an organizer in the future!

  Public Set Answer:

  1) I am interested in technology, art, community and music. I believe education is our greatest gift and know learning is a life-long process. My background is Community Mental Health in Oakland California. I call SF my home. I love the outdoors, playing soccer, hiking, swimming, surfing. I thoroughly enjoy traveling and currenlty live in Sydney Australia where I am finisning a Masters Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation.

  I am here to learn.

  https://twitter.com/dmtaggart

  https://soundcloud.com/dmt7

• 
  Akiyuki   May 25, 2013, 1:33 p.m.

  Bio:

  Programming is my passion.

  Location:

  Standard Set Answer:

  1. will broaden my knowledge and logic

  2. gain more knowledge and to improve logical thinking

  3. Yes

  Public Set Answer:

  1. MMORPGs, Online games that may be related or influence to online education.

• 
  suecollarte   May 22, 2013, 9:57 a.m.

  Bio:

  Location: Santiago, Chile

  Standard Set Answer:

  enseño matematicas y trabajo en el tema de evaluaciones.

  Espero aprender y compartir

  En la organizacion del course puedo ayudar.

  Public Set Answer:

  www.ecoteacher.cl

  1. Me gusta el servicio de impuestos interno de chile www.sii.cllll, cada mes puedo realizar todo lo relacionado con mis impuestos para mi y mi empresa. Me gusta la plataforma open source sakai, es precisa en lo que uno necesita para apoyar el contenido, tareas y evaluaciones para una sala de clases. Los sistemas de busquedas para llegar a lo que uno necesita (google).

  2. Entregar los resultados de pruebas oportunamente y no dar una adecuada retroalimentacion a cada alumno y al grupo curso. Necesitaria una plataforma que pueda contener evaluaciones que me sirva para la parte formativa y la sumativa, que me de los indicdores por objetivo generales, especificos, por la habilidad que estaba mediendo, a los 5 minutos que se realizo. Tener un panel control de cada experiencia educativa, y asi saber oprtunamente que debo hacer la proxima clase para que todos avancen, y puedan enfrentar el proximo aprendizaje.

  3. Videos de como se desarrolla un ejercicio, para verlo muchas veces. Videos de Clases de matematica de otro profesor, sobre materia que no se entiende.

• 
  Stefano   Feb. 5, 2013, 6:51 p.m.

  Bio:

  I'm a curious geek, trying to keep my mind open.

  Location: Europe

  Standard Set Answer:

  Interest in math

  Some more info

  I don't know if I will be able but I would like to help

  Public Set Answer:

  Artificial Intelligence

  don't remember

  statistic

• 
  Linda FS   Jan. 22, 2013, 12:52 p.m.

  Bio:

  Love math, love teaching math.

  Location: Bitola

  Standard Set Answer:

  This is the topic I work in for many years now.

  I plan to listen in from time to time - Maria D. is a great teacher.

  Public Set Answer:

  1. Online presentation software (elluminate) and video recording software (camtasia studio) where you can use write in multiple colors with a graphics tablet, use a calculator, use an application, ... everything at your fingertips and then put it online in pdf (nice and small) or recording (bells and whistles).

  2. Embarassing moment - When I was asked whether oil was heavier or lighter than water. Should have known it was a trick question. Don't like trick questions.

  3. GeoGebra as exploring (get it going) and redundancy (check your work) tool.

• 
  Green Machine   Jan. 21, 2013, 9:35 p.m.

  Bio:

  My name is Atiba Green. I am married to the gorgeous Katina Mackey-Green and we are blessed to the be the parents of our dramatic 3 year old daughther, Zuri Green. We also have a cat, Tabby/Siamese blend, named Coltrane Green. I am ecstatic about learning more about the technological resources available to teachers who facilitate math classes because I have been in various environments where school administrators had no clue what to purchase for math classrooms when it comes to the realm of technological resources. I have always been naturally attracted to technology and could easily manuver or self-teach myself how to use techological products. I am very passionate about education, nutrition, community, photography, and gardening. I like to play video games, read, and be creative during my spare time. PS3 tag: bigblakafrika. I also am working on developing a photography business and purchasing a food truck to share my vegan/raw food delicacies with the world. My mind is always working and I think that is why many of my friends say that I have adult ADHD. I say whatever, I just like to do whatever I'm lead to do and that can change at any instance. I look forward to exchaning ideas with everyone enrolled in this class and growing as an educator. I will share the link for my photography website later becuase I am revamping web site and editing pictures that I will post. Give thanks and may everyone be harmonious.

  Location: Philadelphia, PA

  Standard Set Answer:

  It was required for my course work to obtain my master of education in secondary mathematics. I am also interested in the various uses of technology in the classroom.

   

  I wish to grow as an educator and increase my pool of technological resources, ultimately sharing it with my collegeues while enchancing the experiences of the scholars in the classroom.

   

  Yes, I am interested in helping out with this courses in any way possible.

  Public Set Answer:

  Part 2

  1) The modern technology that really excites me are smart phones, iPads, DSLR cameras, robotics, Texas Instrument calculators, Playstation 3, genetics.

  2) The most painful mathematical moment I have had was when I failed Electromagnetics in my undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University. I failed because I was flat out lazy and didn't apply myself to my fulliest extent. I believe that a piece of software or technology that would model certain scenarios or exercises in class would have help me and many scholars overstand that applications of the concepts covered.

  3) I would make every scholar master the use of a Texas Instrument scientific calculator. I would prefer for them to master the use of the TI-Nspire because of its amazing capabilities and the color screen that it offers, but the TI-84 or TI-83 would suffice my needs as well. They are just amazing pieces of technology which I believe should be introduced to the scholars as early as 3rd grade. They allow for a lot of indepdent discover and for the scholars to develop their own mathematical theories about certain concepts before given concrete information.

• 
  Katherine Hanisco   Jan. 19, 2013, 9:34 a.m.

  Bio:

  I'm Katherine and I'm currently working toward my M.Ed. and my certification for secondary mathematics and physics. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Arcadia 11 years ago and I worked for about 8 years as an actuary. I left the corporate world a few years ago to stay home with my daughter. I've been in grad school for a year now, but almost all of my classes have been general education, not specific to math ed, so I'm really excited for this course. I'm also looking forward to learning about current technology for classrooms because it's been so long since I've studied mathematics formally and I know there is so much out there that I don't know. 

  I’m married with a four-year-old daughter and a 12-year old stepdaughter. I love to read, both novels and non-fiction. My favorite non-fiction subjects are women in math and science, math history, cosmology, and astronomy. I am extremely passionate about gender equity in math and science education. I look forward to getting to know all of you during the semester!

  Location:

  Standard Set Answer:

  As a future high school math and physics teacher, I'm interested in learning about how to incorporate technology into my lessons. I hope that this course will give me a lot of tools and ideas for how to use technology to enhance my students' learning, and to make the lessons more exciting for them. 

  Public Set Answer:

  1. I am really interested in technology related to space exploration. I follow all of the NASA missions, and I am especially excited for the New Horizons spacecraft to reach Pluto in 2015. The Cassini spacecraft was launched in 1997 and has been transmitting incredible photographs and information from the Saturnian system since 2004. The New Horizons spacecraft was launched in 2006, so that's almost ten additional years of technology, and I can't wait to see what we learn about Pluto. I also love physics and the idea of pushing the boundaries of what we know and understand, so I get excited about things like the Large Hadron Collider and other technologies related to particle physics and quantum mechanics.

  2. Last year I was tutoring a high school student in algebra. Her notebook was very disorganized, and I couldn't find anything about the assignment she was doing. I ended up explaining the wrong thing to her because she was unclear about what she was supposed to be doing and I had no idea what material her class was covering and was just going on what she told me. If there was some kind of technology that could have allowed me to access the teacher's webpage or a list of assignments or something to give me an indication of what she was supposed to know I could have saved both of us the time wasted going over a concept that wasn't related to her classwork.

  3. I am not teaching yet so I don't have any experience with using technology in the classroom. I do like the use of graphing calculators or other graphing software in high school math classes, so I would want my students to have mastered the use of a graphing calculator so class time can be spent on the material, not how to use the calculator. I'm sure that at the end of the semester after I learn about other technologies, I will have other answers for this question!

• 
  Lisa Ritt   Jan. 16, 2013, 3:55 p.m.

  Bio:

  In Grad school hoping for Middle School Intern Cert in Math as soon as possible. Never have used website like this before. I am complete rookie here. Should be interesting!

  Location: Arcadia U, Glenside, PA

  Standard Set Answer:

  *I want to teach middle school math. I'd say I truly have no experience using internet technology to teach so this will give me great skills that I will put to good use!

  *I hope to stop feeling overwhelmed by this kind of technology use & also have exciting ways of teaching through techniques I learn here.

  *I'm am not interested in course organization as I don't feel equip to do so as I'm a student in this class at Arcadia.

  Public Set Answer:

  PART 1:
  I have been thinking about transitioning to teaching for ages & I'm finally doing it so I'm quite excited. i wish I was a more interesting student here but I have ZERO blogs or projects that I am currently working on that are online (Plenty of them around my home though)

  My focus is on becoming an effective teacher in Philadelphia & learning as many skills as I can. I currently taking 3 grad courses & I'm going to be working with Peter Appelbaum as a grad assistant. 

   

  PART 2:

  1-These questions are tough because I feel like I truly have no experience to speak of with Math Technology. The only thing I use is a calculator & software at work that helps me creates mortgages for people. Neither of which excite me unfortunately. 

  My daughters' "study island's" are pretty cool. BUT- I do think they could use improvement in that they don't let the kids explore their own creativity much.. I think it would be cool to have students try to come up with questions that THEY think are appropriate for the math they are learning.

  2- When my 12 year old daughter asked me to help her in her advanced math class & I literally have no clue what she is doing. I don't have any idea what technology could help me which is why I want to find out what is out there.

  3-With each question I am answering here, I am feeling more and more like the clueless student. I really don't know & I don't want to just make something up. 

  I promise that I am motivated to learn here & wish that I could bring more suggestions for technology. I'm a laptop girl, microsoft office person who is hoping to learn more about all these cool websites you guys are mentioning. Sorry I don't have more to bring to the table.

  Looking forward to our class!

  -Lisa

   

   

• 
  SueSullivan   Jan. 16, 2013, 1:28 p.m.

  Bio:

  I am a Middle School Mathematics major who is taking this course as an undergrad.  I don't have any formal teaching experience and am totally unfamiliar with mathematics software.  I have a lot to learn and am looking forward to it!

  When I'm not studying, I enjoy birdwatching, music, gardening, playing backgammon and TexasHoldEm, as well as camping in our pop-up at the Delaware shore (where I surf fish and kayak). Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family (I've been married for 19 years; my sons are 15 and 17).   

  Location:

  Standard Set Answer:

  1.  I'm a middle-school mathematics major who is excited to learn more about educational/mathematical technology (my math technology experience is limited to using the TI84 and Voyage graphing calculators).  This course is a requirement for me, but even if it weren't, I would view it as essential anyway, as I am interested in learning about techniques/technologies that might enhance their students' learning process. 

  2.  I hope to gain at least a casual familiarity with the mathematics education software that my future students may be interested in/required to use by the district curriculum.

  3.  At this point in time, I think that being an observer of this course would benefit me most - I have so much to learn that I don't think I'm qualified to help anyone.

  Public Set Answer:

  PART 1:

  I do not have any blogs or sites about my projects.  Currently, my projects are informal ones that don't directly involve math - they consist of improving the environment  by picking up garbage and removing invasive plant species (the walking path at our neighborhood park and beaches where I camp need a lot of care and I'm happy to help).  

  As a teacher, I will be passionate about getting to know the socio-economic-ethnic backgrounds of my students, and how to best relate mathematics to their life experiences.  College-bound students may be more interested in theoretical concepts, while students who choose other career paths (trade school, apprenticeships, etc.) might need more applied examples.  My goal is to help all of them.

  As I said previously, I'm a Middle School Mathematics Major, but I'd honestly be happy teaching any subject.  Math is my favorite by only a narrow margin; I sincerely enjoy discussing all academic subjects with young adolescents.  Biology was my first choice, but I am unable to control my gag/nausea/fainting reflexes when confronted with real-life dissection (illustrations don't bother me in the least; I'm fascinated by them, but that doesn't quite meet a professional level).  

  PART 2:

  1.  I know the Web isn't really 'modern' any more, but it still fascinates me as much as it did when I first accessed it via MS-DOS many years ago (it was text-only at the time); it is a priceless learning and communications tool.  I also am excited by MIDI/synthesizer technology and the sounds that result, as well as being fascinated by how technological advances have enabled things like Moog's early synthesizers to shrink down to a size that anyone can accommodate.  What most intrigues me is how technology can be used for advances in healthcare, whether it be a system for managing a particular patient's medications and warning of interactions, or the emergence of fMRI technology.

  2.  Difficult time in mathematics:  it's definitely when I was learning how the 2D graphs of trig functions relate to a circle.  I'm so thankful that my Dad (back then he was called a draftsperson) used his mathematical understanding, drawing skills, love of model trains (he used the wheels), and my beloved spirograph set  to give me endless demonstrations until I finally understood.  Computer animations such as those at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_function would have made the whole process a lot quicker and saved a lot of paper.

  3.  This question is tough - I totally agree that it's essential for students to master a graphing calculator, but think that having them be able to master using a search engine might give a little more of a learning advantage.  A calculator is a valuable teaching tool, but a search engine can provide the student with a wider scope of information.  For example, a student can use a calculator to experiment with graphs.  But, a search engine used to its fullest potential would show results demonstrating graphs, as well as articles explaining what mathematician(s) explored this particular concept, its practical applications, etc.

• 
  Gina Mulranen   Jan. 15, 2013, 10:54 p.m.

  Bio:

  Hello everyone! My name is Gina and I am a middle school math teacher. I teach in a gifted program that services students in grades 5 through 12. The school I work at has an on-site and online option for students. I teach my cyber/virtual students through an online classroom in Moodle, so I am very interested in the different software and manipulatives that I will be able to use in the classroom. I am also interested in incorporating more online resources for my on-site students as well. Being a teacher in this gifted community is a lot of work, but the students' enthusiasm, projects, and desire to learn is what reminds me every day why I am a teacher and how much I love my job. I am working towards a Masters of Math Education at Arcadia and I look forward to learning new techniques that I can use to enhance and enrich my curriculum for my specific students.

  Location:

  Standard Set Answer:

  1. I am interested in incorporating technology into my curriculum because I teach in a virtual classroom and need more online manipulatives and tools to help my students learn in the cyber environment. I also want to incorporate more technology into my on-site classes because of how fast technology is being incorporated into the students' hands. I want to provide students with enough direction and experience with technology in order to make them more proficient when using technology for math.

  2. I hope to achieve better training in different online tools and software for my math classroom. It is important for me to have hands-on experience so I can teach my students and be a resource for them when they use the technology.

  3. I am not really sure what the responsibilities and requirements are to help participate in the course organization.

  Public Set Answer:

  Part 1

  My name is Gina and I am a middle school math teacher in the gifted program at the PA Leadership Charter School. I teach three different courses: Honors Algebra 1, Pre-Algebra, and Foundations of Mathematical Thinking. I also teach an online Honors Algebra 1 class through an online platform called Moodle. Here is a link to one of my course pages: http://moodle.palcs.org/moodle/course/view.php?id=4822. I also work as a math tutor at GameFace Tutoring and have been working there for six years. Here is a link to my profile on the website: http://gamefacetutoring.com/meet.htm. I am attending Arcadia to receive my Masters of Mathematics Education in order to learn more strategies and resources that I can incorporate into my curriculum. My gifted students are truly a joy to teach with their enthusiasm and desire to learn. However, not all gifted students are gifted in math, which is why I want to learn more ways to reach out to those students and also enrich other students with more technology-based projects.

  Part 2

  1. My new iPad has become the recent focus for technology excitement. I am really interested in learning about new apps for math skill practice and resources like graphing calculators. I can also use these apps and whiteboards on my iPad to aid me when tutoring. I also really like working with PowerPoint and have created my own interactive games like Connect Four using PowerPoint animations.

  2. I think most of my difficult math moments come when I am tutoring. Sometimes I have students that come in for help on a word problem or understanding a concept that I may not have learned the same way or that I can't remember exactly how to solve. I usually go through their notes with them as a way for the student (and myself) to review and try the problem first. Then I usually am able to remember how to solve the problem. I think that technology could save me from these embarrassing math moments by using my iPad. I can use apps or online resources to search the concept easily while the student is looking over their notes. I can also share those resources with the student to supplement what I am teaching them.

  3. The most important piece of technology that I want my Algebra 1 students to master is the graphing calculator. I am teaching them the functions of the calculator as it comes up in my cirriculum, but I know there is more that I can learn and my students can benefit from learning. Another piece of technology that I would want my students to master is MathType. I have SUCH a hard time reading some of my students' handwriting and many of them make errors in their work because they cannot read their OWN handwriting. By using MathType, my students can neatly type their work for their homework and/or projects and I can easily assess their work. I also want my students to be proficient with Microsoft Excel because there are a lot of great functions for data analysis and graphing real-life data. I incorporate a lot of projects involving data collection and analysis and this would aid the students with those assignments.

• 
  MgnLeas   Jan. 14, 2013, 10:04 a.m.

  Bio:

  I am an education major at Arcadia University. I did my undergrad work there and am now working on my masters. I a wife and mother. My husband and my two and half year old son are my world. They push me to strive for more. I would not be able to achieve what I have achieved without them. On another note, I have just started training for my first marathon. I am going to run the Walt Disney World Marathon! I can not wait.

  Location: Pennsylvania

  Standard Set Answer:

  Technology is becoming more prevalent in education. Teachers need to be well versed in using technology as a teaching tool. Students are now growing up in a technological era and they know how to use it all. I want to be a teacher that is comfortable with using many different types of technology in my classroom. I hope that this course gives me the tools I need to be successful in using technology as a teaching aide. Since I want to learn from this course I am not sure I would be the best to help in its organization. 

  Public Set Answer:

  I am currently a masters of education student at Arcadia Universtiy. I am working on getting my teaching certification so that I can teach Middle School Math. 

  Cell phones amaze me. They are so small and can do so much. Almost everyone has one and the could eventually be a part of the school day. You can set events for students on calendars, phones have Internet and that opens a wide variety of search options for kids.

  Writing proofs in my senior year of college was hard. I had a professor that did not give much direction because he wanted you to come up with the proof on your own. it would have nice to be able to search for a starting point for the proofs. Not the whole proof, because I did like finding results on my own, but getting started was awful. It would have been great to have nudge in the right direction.

  For the level of students I want to teach a graphing calculator would be helpful. I also use the smart board in my lessons so it would be nice if they could use it at home to see the notes from the day if they are stuck or forgot something.