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#111211 08/30/03 08:01 PM
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vbq Offline
journeyman
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"What do I need to do to divide fractions?"

Go to Google.

"To use Google's built-in calculator function, simply enter the expression you'd like evaluated in the search box and hit the Enter key or click the Google Search button. The calculator can evaluate mathematical expressions involving basic arithmetic (5+2*2 or 2^20), more complicated math (sine(30 degrees) or e^(i pi)+1), units of measure and conversions (100 miles in kilometers or 160 pounds * 4000 feet in Calories), and physical constants (1 a.u./c or G*mass of earth/radius of earth^2). You can also experiment with other numbering systems, including hexadecimal and binary."




#111212 08/30/03 08:12 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
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stranger
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I recall my seventh grade teacher telling me and my class that studies have shown that the average fifth grader reads for only 20 minutes during one day, school included.


#111213 08/30/03 08:37 PM
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Carpal Tunnel
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my classroom has 24 computers, all desktop models, that take up quite a bit of space. they are used primarily for music composition, giving the student immediate feedback as they compose. they have been upgraded a bit this year, so perhaps I can use them for on-line research for various music projects. my computer in the room, which is new, has programs such as oscilloscopes, and other tools that I use in my teaching.
as for an all-laptop classroom, I was unaware that current textbooks were available in a digital format. if so, I can imagine it would speed up the evaluation and grade-keeping for the teacher many-fold. it is likely that the teacher's computer has software which allows it to "see" each students' "desktop" individually. quizzes and tests would be automatically scored and the gradepoint average figured instantly. it would save a lot of time after school!
I would be very surprised, however, if any teacher would ever completely give up the tactile sensation of a well-made book.
playing the DA, did we have trouble with education when every student got their own textbook? used to be the teacher had the only copy... if there was a book at all...





formerly known as etaoin...
#111214 08/30/03 08:45 PM
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vbq Offline
journeyman
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Wonder what our lady elementary school teachers have to say about this?

"Why boys avoid school reading
Research suggests literary choices not relevant to males", Toronto Star, August 30, 2003

Extract:

"Trevor Gambell of the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, says the emphasis on fictional texts and journal writing at the elementary and secondary levels — used in many courses to reinforce literacy skills — is something girls generally take to more readily to than boys. And female teachers only naturally choose texts appealing to them.

Boys' reading, much of which is online, he said, is "considered non-legitimate."

"If the whole purpose of reading is to get children to read better and develop life-long reading, we've got to provide materials and instruction that foster that."

Gambell also said teachers can offer students a variety of ways to complete assignments, some media-based, others written.

"Old practices die hard," added Sanford. "But everybody can be learning similar concepts in different kinds of ways.... When doing projects, some students complete them online, some using visuals, some can (give verbal presentations), sharing different ways of learning. So teachers have to — and are — thinking about different ways of showing knowledge other than writing it down and passing a test."

The concern for boys is not limited to Canada. Around the world, countries are grappling with boys' apparent lack of interest in reading and poor performance on literacy tests. Government studies on boys and reading have been commissioned, as have projects to improve boys' test scores."


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I can't find where you're quoting from, vbq. But I don't think "we" have any lady elementary school teachers on this board. Nor any of the gentleman variety, far as I know.


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I remember reading that line in somebody's post, but now it's gone?...



formerly known as etaoin...
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oh, and I teach 5th through 8th grades. in someplaces 5th and 6th are still elementary grades...



formerly known as etaoin...
#111218 08/30/03 09:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
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... and here, so are 7th and 8th grades.


#111219 08/30/03 09:51 PM
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well, I guess then, unless Anna's telling me I'm not a gentleman, that we have at least one elementary teacher on board...



formerly known as etaoin...
#111220 08/30/03 10:28 PM
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I shall call you Watson from now on, eta.


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