As I have discussed with many of you throughout the semester, it has been difficult to come up with ideas for DST within a mathematics setting. The task becomes even more difficult when you begin to consider the standards based curriculum we are following and the limited room for flexibility within our instruction. However, I was able to develop a digital storytelling project idea that aligns well with the ISTE NETS, as well as, the Pennsylvania State Standards.
The project will be based within the context of our Quadratics Unit and will challenge students creativity and innovation. It is difficult to include quality mathematics within a digital story, so it will create an obstacle for students to overcome with their collaborative partners when completing this project. The project will require students to choose a device that creates a projectile (potato launcher, trebuchet, Nerf rocket, hot wheels ramps, etc.). From this projectile, students will use their standard formula for height they learned in class (outlined in my lesson plan) and solve for a missing value in their formula (starting height, time, velocity). Their goal is to create a digital story that shows their process of completing experimental runs, recording measurements, and making appropriate calculations in a 2-3 minute video. In the end, students will share all of their projects so their classmates are able to see the different forms of projectiles and the various methods for solving these missing values.
I truly believe this is a relevant assignment that can include DST into a mathematics classroom effectively, and one that the students would dive into. Additionally, this assignment is productive in showing students several real life examples that apply to the classroom. As you see in my sample video, the students enjoy these problems, and do not even realize they are doing the math. I hope to teach this course again so I can attempt to implement this lesson with my next group of students. Included below are my lesson plan, my scoring rubric, and a sample video for the assignment.
Lesson Plan
Rubric
I feel like you could apply DST to any field!
ReplyDeleteAaron, I'm glad that you were able to find a way to incorporate digital storytelling into your math class. This is also a great hands-on lesson for the students. It's always amazing when students learn but they don't know they're learning :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on how to incorporate DST into your math class. I don't think I would be able to come up with an idea for that! the result was interesting and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, thank you for your comment about my 20% project. It was really nice! :)