BHNmath
NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 20, 2020
Written by Adam Gesjorskyj
LIFT OFF!
With this first issue of the BHNmath Newsletter, I am pleased to report that the site is well on its way to becoming a highly valuable mathematics resource centre for students, parents and teachers! Since September, the site has grown to house 35 original, interactive and directly accessible resources among six courses. With the site’s structural design and user interface details now tested and active, the number of available resources will begin to climb at a significantly higher rate. In fact, integration of the already-created-and-soon-to-be-categorized materials residing on BHNmath’s GeoGebra and YouTube channels will give a total of approximately 75 resources within the next few weeks!
What's a "Directly Accessible Resource?"
A directly accessible resource is a resource that can be accessed directly from a link within the BHNmath environment. That is, a single click immediately takes the user to the resource, without the need for further navigation on an external page or website.
STUDENTS AND BHNmath
Initially thwarted by a bomb threat and ultimately shelved by job action, the BHNmath classroom visits centred around EQAO preparation that did take place during the week of January 6th proved to be productive and beneficial. Supportive teachers, engaged students and working technology made for an enjoyable and valuable experience. Real time observation of students using the BHNmath website prompted a variety of interface tweaks, all of which have been implemented to improve the user experience. Many thanks to all of those who welcomed me to visit their classes, regardless of whether or not the visit actually occurred!
I’m thrilled to see that students are making use of the online Resource Request Form. For everything from videos and printable resources to interactive activities and dynamic applets, I encourage students, teachers and parents to continue using this contact form any time they would like a resource developed for the BHNmath site. So far, all requests have been delivered well before the required deadlines!
BHNmath SWAG!
Yes, we have swag! Specifically, sticky graph pads. Each pad contains twenty five 4″ × 6″ sticky notes with a 20×25 grid. Perfect for student notebooks, student-teacher discussions, shopping lists or last-minute gifts, they’re always a hit! If you’d like some, please let me know!
Have another useful swag idea? Please submit it below!
CODING FOR MATHEMATICS
I’m very excited (and somewhat nervous) to have the opportunity to present a workshop on coding for mathematics to the ACS STEM Club. Covering several of the concepts used in building BHNmath resources, I’ve described the presentation as follows:
Mathematics undoubtedly plays a crucial role in the inner workings of computer code, but how can coding contribute to the study and development of mathematics? In this workshop, we will consider several ways in which coding can be used to better learn, understand and communicate math. Using innovative software that is easily accessible and completely free of charge, we will explore randomization, Boolean logic, dynamic geometry, computer algebra systems, LaTeX typesetting and a variety of other topics to discover the hand-in-hand relationship of computers and mathematics.
If you would like to discuss a visit to a class or club at your school for a similar presentation, please contact me. The content of the workshop can likely be modified to match the curriculum that you are currently covering or any other topic that you’d like to address.
Recently added resources
Here are the five resources most recently added to BHNmath:
Course: AP Calculus (MCV4UP)
Topic: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (Fundamental Concepts)
Type: Interactive Review Problems
Target: Students
Location: Cumulative Review by Topic
Notes: Requested by a student. Twenty questions and solutions to review the basics of exponential and logarithmic functions.
Course: AP Calculus (MCV4UP)
Topic: Limits and Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Type: Interactive Review Problems
Target: Students
Location: Cumulative Review by Topic
Notes: Requested by a student. Twenty questions and solutions to review limits and derivatives involving exponential and logarithmic functions.
Course: 9 Applied (MFM1P1)
Topic: Identifying Outliers
Type: Interactive Applet
Target: Students
Location: EQAO Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings
Notes: Based on a low-score EQAO question.
Course: 9 Applied (MFM1P1)
Topic: Interior Angles of a Pentagon
Type: Interactive Applet
Target: Students
Location: EQAO Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings
Notes: Based on a low-score EQAO question.
Course: 9 Academic (MPM1D1)
Topic: Substitution and Evaluation
Type: Interactive Applet
Target: Students
Location: EQAO Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings
Notes: Based on a low-score EQAO question.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR BHNmath?
- Resource development based on recently submitted requests from teachers and students, including integration of curriculum expectations into course descriptions, graphic organizers, contextualized videos, inquiry-based activities and several other exciting ideas.
- Integration of existing dynamic applets and videos into the BHNmath environment.
Best wishes as you wrap up semester one. Stay warm!
– Adam