Our job is to empower children to understand that they control the information age. Students today live in a world in which, not only do they have access to an almost infinite amount of information through the Internet and other resources, but they have the opportunity to be a part of the creation and sharing of this knowledge with others.  Students have the power to have their voices heard, their ideas examined and their creativity published through the “read, write web”. This is a powerful motivator to students who strive for excellence when given the opportunity to make real world connections. The Internet has transformed from an extension of the textbook to a platform for collaboration.  As educators, it is exciting to be able to open these new worlds to students and provide them with meaningful tasks in which they can explore the readily available technology such as videoconferencing, webblogs, podcasts and GPS applications and discover the powerful possibilities these technologies have for their continued learning and sharing with others. Access to this technology provides students opportunities to solve real problems; collect, organize and analyze data and collaborate globally

Proposed  Project

We propose to expand our current use of technology by implementing a global, interactive math project in each math strand currently targeted by our district.  These activities are all based on the Math GLEs for 5^th and 6^th Grade.

We will use Global Schoolhouse Network as a platform for creating projects that will involve collaboration with classrooms around the world.  We have already established relationships with schools in Guayaquil, Ecuador; Balikpapan, Indonesia, and Nairobi, Kenya. We believe that these project-based activities will help students make connections between math and the real world, use new technology and gain and understanding of other cultures.

Probability and Statistics:

Students will work in teams to write survey questions that will generate quantifiable data comparing cultures.  They will ensure questions avoid cultural bias.  Once completed, students will organize the information using data tables and graphs. The information will be shared through an interactive WIKI.

Number Sense:

Students will challenge the other schools to guess a mystery number.  They will develop a vodcast with several hints using appropriate terminology (factor, multiple, even, prime . . . ) and  divisibility rules. Schools will contribute to a game using questions that can be archived for future use.

Geometry / Measurement:

Students will compare distance data with other schools (distance to the nearest hospital?  store?  big city?)   Students will plot important places on GoogleEarth. Students will use GPS units to map out their neighborhood and share this information with other schools.  Information will be shared in both US and Metric.

Algebra:

Students will create problems that use algebraic thinking and challenge the other schools to an online contest.  We will videoconference using (Skype and webcams).

We propose to use these tools beyond the defined project to enhance Standards Based teaching and learning throughout our school. Our team will share these resources and knowledge through school, district and regional in-services.

Keep your drafts here so you can refer to earlier versions.