This site provides users with class activities called “Exploring Space through Math” for the Algebra 1 class. These activities include how to identify direct variation, solve linear equations, and how to create tables using astronauts exercising equipment.
Type of Material:
Assignment (Class Activity)
Recommended Uses:
This site can be used in class, at home, or for individual learning. It can be used as a useful resource for basic skills math classes in universities and community colleges.
Technical Requirements:
It works on all browsers including smart phones and does not require any plug-ins, Java, HTML, and Flash.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Apply concepts from linear equations and direct variation to space travel.
Target Student Population:
Basic skills students at colleges and universities and middle and high school students in algebra 1.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Knowledge of direct variation, the constant of variation, linear functions, different representations of a linear function, the properties of a linear function, calculating slope, and students should be familiar with solving linear equations.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site contains activities that can get students introduced to the applications of Algebra 1 to space travel by introducing and identifying direct variation, calculating slope, solving linear equations, determining whether variables are independent or dependent, and creating tables using astronauts exercising equipment. The site includes readings videos that demonstrate the applications that are being highlighted.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This site will help students who are interested in learning more about applications of Algebra identify direct variation, calculate slope, solve linear equations, determine whether variables are independent or dependent, and create tables using astronauts exercising equipment. It also provides students with a background about this activity with instructional objectives, and it has step-by-step direction through the whole class activity. There is a problem set for the students to work on. The problem set includes both mechanical problems and open ended problems.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
It is very easy to use this site because it has only two PDF files that contain two editions: one for teacher and the other one for student. The user just needs to go through one of two files to read about this activity, and directions in this activity are very useful and helpful for the user to follow them.
Concerns:
The link to the space.com video goes to the main site instead of the intended video. The instructor will have to do a search on that site to find the video.
Creative Commons:
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