Book Reading Chapter 9

Visualizing with Technologies

It is disconcerting how many ideas for the classroom are too abstract and complex. Variables of plenty are fine when students have experience with slightly less and then stretch to more. Complex and abstract are fine if the student is emergent in formal thought. The idea of using graphic calculators and managing traffic flow due to a chemical spill are great things but only a few student in the latter years of high school can handle such things. So, it is disconcerting how many ideas in the book are aimed at a few students. However, there are a couple of tools that would address some of our state standards that are also asking too much too soon of our students. The statistical tools seem like easy to use tools that are compatible with existing programs. Some of the basic geographical tools could be used, but not as described. Students need to start with more concrete activities that have inroads to the abstract. Finally, I do think the video production is completely accessible for all students and provides a way for students to think through a production and what goes into a documentary or story, thus incidental learning a plot and using the great tool: a story board.