Well, after 18 episodes of the Classroom Professor Math Podcast, I have decided to rationalize what I do to make more time for the most important parts of the business.
I have decided to continue to produce the video version of the podcast, but stop releasing audio versions. If you wish to subscribe, please go to iTunes and subscribe to the video podcast - just search for the podcast and select the video version. I will keep the existing audio recordings online for a while longer, as long as people appear to still find them useful.
If you'd like to let me know what you think, especially if you really like the audio recordings, email me at peter@classroomprofessor.com.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Teach Math & Secure Communication
Another podcast in the series from our trip to the UK and Europe.
Royal Signals Museum
This time the podcast comes from the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford, Dorset, England. This museum is situated on an army base, so there is tight security to navigate before you can gain access to the museum. But the minor inconvenience is worth it, as the museum contains lots of displays that any teacher could make good use of with a upper primary/elementary or middle school class. As a bonus, at the security checkpoint we met a sergeant with a very dry wit who talked at length about his views on Margaret Thatcher, UK politics in general and the military that I found hilarious.Teach Math & Secret Codes
While travelling in the UK, I was thrilled to visit Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, UK. This little town, around 45 minutes north of London, is not that well known, but was the centre of a major war effort during WWII.
The technology developed at Bletchley Park by Alan Turing, Tommy Flowers and a huge team of workers has echoes even today, in electronic programmable computers and secure encryption and decryption of messages.
The technology developed at Bletchley Park by Alan Turing, Tommy Flowers and a huge team of workers has echoes even today, in electronic programmable computers and secure encryption and decryption of messages.
Teach Roman Math
Teach your students about Roman civilization with a math connection!
I visited Chester in North England, where my brother lives with his family (he appears briefly in the video with his wife, and my wife and I). Chester is a fascinating town, which stands on top of Roman ruins, many of which no doubt have not yet been found. Basically, whenever a new building project gets underway, archaeologists have to be called in if (or more likely when) ruins are found on the site.
I visited Chester in North England, where my brother lives with his family (he appears briefly in the video with his wife, and my wife and I). Chester is a fascinating town, which stands on top of Roman ruins, many of which no doubt have not yet been found. Basically, whenever a new building project gets underway, archaeologists have to be called in if (or more likely when) ruins are found on the site.
Connect Science & Technology in Math Lessons
My wife and I visited family in in England, Scotland and South Wales, and so had opportunities to visit various sites near where family members live. Two of these locations are featured in this week’s podcast.
Outside there is a Keep (small tower) on top of a steep mound, called a “motte”, which the energetic can climb up, including climbing some really steep stairs to the top of the keep.
Now, in the grounds of the castle is a working trebuchet, which apparently was constructed for use in the 2011 movie Ironclad (click to see trailers – including shots of the trebuchets). The castle asked if they could have it when the movie was finished, and there it is. The machine is “fired” (is that what you call it?) periodically for the public. We missed seeing it shot by one day – what a shame. Still, I got to stand in front of it uninterrupted to talk about science, technology and math.
Stonehenge
First, Stonehenge, in Wiltshire. This site was built in pre-historic times, meaning that its precise origins were not recorded in writing and so working out why it is there, how it was constructed and what it meant at the time can only be deduced by experts in archaeology and history.Cardiff Castle
Later in our trip, we had a trip to Cardiff, and a local historical site, Cardiff Castle. I can thoroughly recommend it as a fun day out for families or couples. The main castle building itself has some beautifully furnished rooms, and, for royal watchers, some nice connections with the Royal Family.Outside there is a Keep (small tower) on top of a steep mound, called a “motte”, which the energetic can climb up, including climbing some really steep stairs to the top of the keep.
Now, in the grounds of the castle is a working trebuchet, which apparently was constructed for use in the 2011 movie Ironclad (click to see trailers – including shots of the trebuchets). The castle asked if they could have it when the movie was finished, and there it is. The machine is “fired” (is that what you call it?) periodically for the public. We missed seeing it shot by one day – what a shame. Still, I got to stand in front of it uninterrupted to talk about science, technology and math.
Teaching Slope in the Mountains of Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its beautiful mountains and chocolate-box scenery, summer or winter. My wife and I were blessed to visit there this last spring, so I took the opportunity to video another podcast episode. We took a cable car up a smallish mountain near Lucerne; actually probably just a hill by Swiss standards, then walked down. We'd done this before on a higher mountains when we were younger and fitter, and ended up unable to walk the next day. So this time we were a bit wary of taking on too much.
So, what about the math in this setting? The cable car and the incredible mountains, and the road tunnels that go through them all got me thinking. The swiss have developed an impressive network of roads that enable a driver to travel all over the country, in spite of the mountains that threaten to prevent travel due to their sheer size and their steep slopes.
To cater for this steep topology, Swiss engineers have put in place cable cars, modified railways, tunnels and myriad other installations to respond to the terrain. Sloped paths, steps, zig-zag roads and a thousand other examples allow life to happen in among the mountains.
So, what about the math in this setting? The cable car and the incredible mountains, and the road tunnels that go through them all got me thinking. The swiss have developed an impressive network of roads that enable a driver to travel all over the country, in spite of the mountains that threaten to prevent travel due to their sheer size and their steep slopes.
To cater for this steep topology, Swiss engineers have put in place cable cars, modified railways, tunnels and myriad other installations to respond to the terrain. Sloped paths, steps, zig-zag roads and a thousand other examples allow life to happen in among the mountains.
What is REALLY Important in Teaching Math?
You are a math teacher. You know what works, what doesn't and what frustrates you about your work in your classroom.
In this podcast episode, I chat with you about what is really important in the teaching of math. At the end of the video, I ask you a question and a favor. Please respond.
In this podcast episode, I chat with you about what is really important in the teaching of math. At the end of the video, I ask you a question and a favor. Please respond.
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