Hologram Teaching: Emerging Technology

Virtual reality has been a concept that engineers, graphic designers, and every little kid has dreamed of for years. In recent years game developers have begun to make this dream a reality with the oculus rift and other such headsets. However, an emerging idea in technology today is augmented reality, which is a blend of reality and virtual reality. The iPad app Aurasma has been designing augmented reality pictures that allow the user to see a 3D moving picture through the iPad. The picture is overlaid on reality, for example the user might see a dinosaur prancing around on their algebra homework or virtual warriors dueling on the kitchen table. Augmented reality thus far has been limited to apps that only allow you to see the augmentation through the device. However, in recent years and even months Microsoft has designed a wearable headset that overlays augmented reality on everything the user sees.

Microsoft Hololens is similar to the idea of Google Glass, which was sadly cancelled, in that it overlays your vision with virtual objects and resembles a pair of glasses. Where Hololens differs from Google Glass is that notifications are not brought up in front of you, but displayed on everyday objects. As CNET said "read your email on your fridge, get Facebook notifications from your toaster, and watch the latest news on your cupboards". Unlike Google Glass or Aurasma, Microsoft Hololens is interactive and you have to physically move around to get to different settings. For more information click here to go to Microsoft's website. Hololens is still a relatively new product that hasn't been made accessible by the public yet; however, click here to see a pretty convincing demo of the product.


Hololens has huge ramification for education. As teachers we strive to teach our students in every learning style, but for some concepts and ideas that just isn't physically possible. With Microsoft’s Hololens we could reach the visual, kinesthetic, audio, and reading/writing learners. Imagine a geometry teacher able to create a regular icosahedron in a shared augmented reality. The students could twist and manipulate the object. This ability to create 3D objects would greatly increase the learning of students in all subject areas. As a teacher, I would use this technology to show my students concepts and allow them to manipulate graphs and shapes in real time. There are many uses for this device, several of which have been named here and several more can be seen in the Microsoft Hololens trailer below. Enjoy!

Assistive technologies(The SmartPen)

Have you ever taken notes for a long lecture and then looked back at them and had no idea what you were writing? Or do you wish you could write everything the teacher was saying down on paper? Just like you, students all over the world have difficulties keeping up, more so those who have learning disabilities. In school, teachers provide students that can't keep up with PowerPoint slides or notes. However, nothing can really compare to hand written notes and the teacher's lecture. For several years now, students lucky enough to discover smartpens have been able to take handwritten notes and record the teachers lecture. Now teacher's are using this technology to allow students to playback their lecture over and over again.

What is a smartpen? A smartpen is produced by several companies, the most widely known being Livescribe. A smartpen, in conjunction with special paper, records notes and the lecture at the same time.The lecture at a specific point can be accessed by touching the pen to that point in the notes. So instead of searching through a teacher’s hour long lecture or simply not having it the smart pen finds the section you want based on your own notes. The notes taken on the special paper can then be uploaded onto the computer and turned into computer text. To learn more about Livescribe and smartpens check out their website here.

This technology has huge ramifications for students with learning disabilities and even regular students. In the video below Wichita Collegiate School adopts smartpens as a record-able lecture tool for all their students. As an educator, and a student, I am excited by this technology. If I had the ability to record my lectures in concentrated bits with student’s notes I'd jump on the opportunity. In a math class these tools are especially helpful. Teachers often add little tidbits in with their lecture that students may not write down. I know as a student that I often write down the teacher’s example and not the little tricks he says. As a math teacher I would use the smartpen to record my lecture as I gave them to the class and upload my notes and lecture online so my students could refer back to it for homework help anywhere or anytime.

Top 10 Professional Developement websites

Professional development is hard to keep up on, especially with the rush of technology into education. That's why I created a list of my top 10 websites for technology in the classroom. Five of these sites are education blogs about technology in education and another five include math education to the mix. These blogs were written by teachers for teachers so they include ideas and current concerns about technology in the education scene. I chose blogs, and these blogs specifically, because they provide an insider look at how technology influences learning. I hope you enjoy my list.

Click here to view my Top 10!

Digital Citizenship

Prezi is an interactive PowerPoint that allows its users to move from slide to slide along a designated path. Prezi is a great alternative to PowerPoint as it provides an engaging and visually appealing way to convey information. Prezi is a free to use tool that allows you to make your PowerPoint follow any path you would like. Choose from hundreds of 

pre-made paths or dabble with your own unique path. Instead of the conventional slide to slide of PowerPoint, try hiding slides within slides or within the crook of a letter.

The subject of my Prezi below is digital citizenship, when it comes to computer viruses and infections we can unwittingly catch. I created this Prezi using the pulse path. In this path I had the option of circles, squares, or invisible slides. As you progress throughout the Prezi you will see how I hid slides inside of slides, such as the slides in the bullet points or the slides hiding in pictures. My Prezi was designed to educate teachers and students on what malware, adware, and spyware is and how to protect against such infections. While I provide many possible protections, the best protection is to educate the students on what to do while online. The hope of this presentation is to have students take responsibility of their digital citizenship and make smart choices while using the internet.

Please click on the play button on the Prezi below to view. Thank you and enjoy!

Math Duel App

In this blog post I have created an instructional video for the iPad app Math Duel. To create this video I used the app explain everything, which is an app that uses a series of slides to create a seamless video. In my video I explain how to use Math duel in the two player mode for a classroom. This video is intended to be used when I am sick and a substitute teacher has to take over last minute. In this video I am using math duel as a tool to boost my student’s mental math abilities. In math duel you a competing against another player to see who can compute basic math questions faster. Students practice with this app will be assessed using a tournament to see who the mental math champion is. The age group for this lesson is 9-12th grade. Math Duel is great little app for both idle fun and classroom use.

Glog: Posters of the Future

A Glog is a digital poster, which is an interactive online resource that is comprised of links, images, and videos. The Glog in the link below was made using Glogster. Glogster provides many easy to use interfaces and poster setups. Once you've chosen your setup you, choose a theme for your wall, and if you would like, your text boxes and graphics. Glogster provides many themes and in each of those, multiple choices of graphics and text boxes. The Glogster found in the link is comprised of mostly Glogster graphics with a few google images. Glogs have numerous uses in the classroom. Teachers can use Glogs to introduce new topics or provide an interactive outline for a class. Homework or final projects can be turned in using a Glog. Glogs open up a new realm of possibilities when it comes to the classroom.

The Glog in the link below is for a high school calculus class. Explore the story and battles of our hero derivative and the villain integral using this interactive interface. The calculus Glog was created using the vertical set up and the school theme. The videos were obtained from YouTube and the images from google. You'll notice that in the lower left corner there is what is called a word cloud. A word cloud is randomly generated from a paragraph of text, where the bigger the word the more often it appears. The word cloud was created using ABCya. This Glog would be used in a high school calculus classroom to introduce derivatives and integrals.

Click here to view my Glog

Trigonometry Video Playlist

A video playlist is a collection of videos of like or pertinent subjects. Video playlists are most commonly made using a video source such as YouTube. The playlist below was made using the YouTube playlist option. This tool is very useful and easy to use. To create a playlist log onto your YouTube account, click on playlist and the rest is self-explanatory. For uploading videos you can use YouTube search, URL, or take a video from your own channel. I personally prefer the URL method as you can have a separate tab for searching videos you want and then just paste them into the playlist. YouTube Playlists have great potential when used in a classroom. Teachers can assign homework that is engaging and in the students environment. Video Playlists also allow teachers to group together videos that they find educational to a certain topic and provide one link to limitless video knowledge.

The playlist below is a quick and fun way to get introduced to the basics of trigonometry. This playlists utilizes music videos for engaging memorization and an instructional video. This playlist and ones like it would be helpful for teachers to use to help introduce students to a variety of subjects before they get to class. While watching this playlist I would like students to pay close attention to SOH CAH TOA in the second video as you will be asked to use this trigonometry principle for your homework. Due Monday I would like you as students to go out and find some tall object around your house and measure it using the instructions in the last video. Extra homework points go to anyone that doesn't use 45 degrees as your set angle. See you Monday! Enjoy the playlist!

Internet Search Tools: The web's tool box

In this post I have outlined five websites that will provide excellent assistance to students in a math classroom and many other subjects. It's generally a good idea to have numerous resources available to you when it comes to surfing the web. The search engines I've listed below provide a safe environment for students to research in and a unique way of searching for materials. Granted these are only a few of many search engines, but the five below provide a safe environment to collect and learn new material for both teachers and students. Under each of the headings below I've provided a basic over view of the uses and unique searching manner for each site. Click on the headings to check out each unique engine.



Info Trek:

Info Trek is a custom search sponsored by Google, specifically with students in mind. This search engine is a safe search and keeps students clear of any inappropriate materials as they research. Info trek has many notable features and is very user friendly. On Info Trek’s startup page there are several icons to help narrow down the student’s topic. From that topic info trek displays more icons to further narrow down the search. For my students, I believe you'll find the mathematics page most helpful, as info trek suggests topics and word choices to better enhance your search. As an educator I will definitely point my students towards this engine for basic research.




InstaGrok:

This innovative search engine provides results in concept maps instead of lists. This useful tool allows you to go right to the heart of what you are looking for. Simply type in your query and click on the area you need to expand. Another useful aspect of this search engine is the ability to take notes on material as you find it. InstaGrok would be very useful in researching scientific methods or historical events. Every map you click on displays a number of key facts about that subject. Furthermore you can visit the websites that these facts come from, watch videos on the subject, or search images. Instagrok is very user friendly and endeavors to create connections between material in a unique way.




Goofram:

Try out this wacky search engine for twice the results in one search! Goofram combines the listed results from Google with the facts of wolfram. For example entering algebra in Goofram pulls up Googles numerous website results on the left and wolframs examples and definitions on the right. This clever search engine provides students with an efficient means of looking for sites and gaining basic knowledge at the same time. As a math educator I would suggest that my students use this engine when looking up solutions to difficult math problems. Google is a great tool, but having a working knowledge is also key to making the proper search and Goofram provides both efficiently.



Refdesk:

While it may not be the prettiest website out there, Refdesk has much to offer in the way of student resources. Refdesk provides students with a plentitude of resources and information in just one page. Students can scroll down the page to find anything from games, to recent news, to fun facts, or a link to almost every newspaper on the web. As an educator I especially like this website for it’s ask the experts page. Students can get connected to experts in many areas of expertise. I would encourage my advanced math students to check out Dr. Math’s page and get detailed solutions and explanations when I am not available to assist them.

GoGooligans:

This search engine is another site safe for kids of all ages. With the safe search enabled Go Gooligans is designed for kids and teens and even caters to disabled students with a pop up keyboard. Search results for this site greatly resemble Googles results, complete with a pictures option. I personally really like this engine for the number of good sites that it suggest on the first page alone. Go Googlians will search any topic and provide succinct results. I would suggest this for my math students and especially for my advanced math students as Go Googlians suggests many sites that can be found on my top 15 and I trust many more excellent sources to be found here.

Educational Resources for students, parents, and teachers.

From my days as a student and educator, I have compiled a list of websites that provide fun and engaging ways to train your "math brain". Check out the top 15 at my website. You'll find websites for students, parents and teachers.

For students, check out FunBrain for exciting and engaging games to help improve your mental math skills on the basic concepts. For those of you in my more advanced classes try out Zone Land and wolfram for help with your homework. Also explore S.O.S Math for review material on more advanced math.

Parents, there is nothing more frustrating than your child bringing home math you can't help them with. The websites I've provided will help you change that with reviews in advanced math and basic math quizzes to get you sharp and ready for your students homework. On another note take a look at the scholastic link for articles on your child's behavior and academics. Learn why Billy does what he does and how to help him. In conjunction read some articles from Inspire My Kids to inspire your kids to achieve their fullest potential.

Finally to my fellow teachers. The links I provided on my website provide interesting ideas to help spark ideas for fun math lessons. I would heartily suggest trying out MathCaching, from Mathbits, with your class. One of my favorite links is the statistics problem generator that provides statistics story problems for when you've run out of scenarios. Before you leave make sure to look at Teachers pay Teachers. Perhaps one of your lesson plans is worth more than you know?

I put together this list to assist and engage the brains of students and parents with review lessons and flash games. And for the teachers, a small respite from lesson plan writing and scenario generating. Enjoy!

Screencast Tutorial: System properties

A screencast video is a computer recording of your screen as you perform instructional tasks. Most commonly these types of videos can be found in instructional videos and video game walkthroughs. There are a variety of materials out there to assist you in making a screencast. Some examples are Screencast.com, Screencast-O matic, Jing, Capturer, and Screen Record Utility Lite. Screencast can be used for a variety instructional videos, including math app tutorials, Word tutorials, Programing tutorials, etc... The useful aspect of a screencast is that the user watching the video can see every step you take to achieve your goal and carefully watch your mouse move as you do so.

In my screencast I used Screencast-O matic, which is a free software online that allows you to record up to 15 minutes of video. In this video I explained how to locate your computers system properties, specifically focusing on the type of operating system and version, processor speed, RAM, and the total size of the hard-drive. My video is specifically designed for PC users running Windows 8 and may not be compatible with previous versions. All of this information may seem easy to locate, but having a proficient knowledge of where to find system properties is always a good idea.

Photo Story: A stick mans journey

A photo story is a collection of photos and videos that tell a story or convey a message in a digital format. In the creation of the photo story below I used Photo Story 3, which is a great little program that is free to download off the web. Photo story 3 allows you to customize every aspect of your video without having to mess around with a theme. An interesting feature is the ability to create your own music based off a selection of choices. In the photo story I mainly use the Funk option with several twists. Photo stories have many uses in the classroom. Using photo story 3 students could design videos to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject or to teach the class a new topic. They are also useful for teachers to teach their kids in a fun digital way.

This photo story would be used in a middle school class to attach a fun idea to a dull topic. In the photo story I follow two stick men that run into each other, accidentally squaring themselves. I like to think of it as two clones becoming one. In the end of the photo story the stick men enter the square root and exit as a stick man. The idea behind the video is to teach squaring and square roots in an easy and fun way to learn.

About Me

My family in front of our house (2015)

Hello! My name is Melissa Knoch, I was born and raised in the frozen white north (A.K.A Anchorage, Alaska). I have two younger brothers, who like me, enjoy snow and everything cold. Peter is on the left and Jake is on the right, although it doesn't look it anymore Jake is the baby of the family. My brothers and I grew up in the same neighborhood as my mom and attended the same elementary school as her and all her siblings (although many years later). My grandparents lived right next door to us for many years. I still remember grandpa sneaking over with a pan of fudge to hide from grandma. I was home schooled for three years during middle and high school and finally graduated from West Anchorage High School in 2013. From there I made my first major move to Idaho for college. I am currently a sophomore at Northwest Nazarene University, majoring in Secondary Education Mathematics.

Have you ever considered solving random time travel problems in your uncle’s old physics textbooks a hobby? Or perhaps fencing your younger brothers? Well I do!! Along with these quirky hobbies I also love to learn math and solve puzzles. I like to think of math as a one big puzzle. As you progress through the years you are constantly solving that puzzle, and receiving new insights and pieces to continue expanding it. Math provides one of the most rewarding challenges, that once mastered opens up new wonders. Along with being magnificent puzzle solvers, mathematicians are among some of the most creative and slightly awkward people in the world. A great quote I like about math teachers goes "An introverted math teacher will stare at his feet while he teaches you and an extroverted math teacher will stare at your feet while he teaches." -Anonymous

I often get asked why I chose to be a high school math teacher. Many of those same people tell me I'm incredibly brave and insane. As a middle schooler going into high school, I hated math. It was challenging and I really saw no use for algebra. Then I met Mr. Seeman, Mr. Olson, and many others. They showed a passion that none of my other teachers had portrayed. These teachers taught me to love math and I never looked back. However, as I progressed through high school, I noticed that many of my peers had never experienced a teacher that made math intriguing. If I could understand math I felt sure anyone could, if they had the right teacher. Thus as I entered my senior year I declared a Math Ed major at NNU. To this day I have not regretted my decision, and I hope that in the near future I can become that teacher that inspires students, like myself, to love the puzzles and embrace the language of math.