Introduction The Task The Process	Resources  Evaluation Thanks
When will I ever use this? (A WebQuest)	You are asked to join a team from  the Public Defender's office.

Introduction

"When am I ever going to use this?"  This is the most common complaint that students have about mathematics and algebra. Today algebra is ON TRIAL.  Even though there are some topics in math that you might find more difficult than others, your responsibility is to not let past impressions influence you. You are to prepare a report that "defends" your topic to the best of your ability.

The Task
You are part of a team from the public defender's office and have been appointed to defend the various topics that you have been studying throughout this semester. Your team will need to:

        1.  research the history of your topic, including prominent mathematicians involved with that topic,
        2.  show how your topic is used in the "real world",
        3.  find a person who uses that and e-mail questions to them on their use of mathematics
        4.  find ways that you might use this topic today.

The following is a list of topics from which to choose. The product will be a trial brief that you will use to present your material to the class. Each person in your team will be responsible for verbally presenting part of the defense to the class.

•           Fractions
•           Pythagorean Theorem
•           Integers
•           Formulas
•           Commission
•           Geometry
•           Ratios and proportion
•           Solving equations

The Process

• Gathering - You first need form a group with two other students - possibly students in your same major or with similar personal interests.  You will individually search the web for at least one person who uses your topic in their occupation and email questions to them on their use of mathematics. You will email a summary of your interview to your instructor and your team of Public Defenders.


Meet as a group and assign each of the following tasks to an individual.  Be sure to utilize the strengths of each team member.
 

• Historian - Gathers information for the Public Defender's office on the history of your topic.  The history of your topic can be gathered from several resources - your text, encyclopedias, other library resources or from sources of math history on the internet. This portion should be about 2 typed pages (double-spaced) and should be followed with a works sited page.
                        The Math Forum   [http://mathforum.org/]
• Facilitator - Contacts all members of the group to schedule team meetings.  Coordinates team's efforts, making sure that each member of the team does not duplicate the efforts of another member of the team.  No two team members can turn in interviews from the same occupation.  (Only one team member may interview an instructor and that instructor must teach a subject other than math.)  Gathers and organizes interviews and sample problems for presentation.
• Computer Expert - Assists team members to establish email address if necessary.  Prepares a brief (about 5 minute) Power Point presentation defending the topic from the information gathered by the Facilitator.

• Arranging - Meet as a group and choose the most interesting occupations from those interviewed.  Only present those that capture your interest and would therefore capture the interest of your classmates.  Write a summary of the interviews.

Exampleof an interview by the Fraction's Defense Team:    

Interview with:  Mrs. Karen Anglin
                   Occupation:  Blinn College Mathematics Instructor
                   Date:  3/31/02

Q:  How do you use Fractions at your work?
A:  When I tell a class how they performed on a test, I often use fractions.  For example "Almost half of the class improved their grade from the first test."

Q:  Do you use Mathematics, Fractions in  particular, in your day-to-day life?
A:  Yes, I use math when I pay the bills (almost daily).  I also often have to double or triple a recipe when I have a large group come to my house every Thursday night for supper.  Almost every recipe I have has fractions for the measurements of the ingredients.

• Creating -  Each member of your team of Public Defenders must create at least two sample word problems that would demonstrate real world use of your topic.  Try to create word problems that would be interesting to college students.  Be sure to use language and topics that are appropriate for the college classroom!  Email these sample problems to your instructor and the members of your team.

• Presenting - Present your information to the class with a brief (under 5 minutes) oral presentation including a Power Point presentation.  Your team of Public Defenders may also include a web demonstration, a poster or any other visual presentation you create.  

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Resources
These resources are just examples of the types of sites available on the internet.  You will be able to find websites in your specific areas of interest by performing searches.

Blinn College Library
PreAlgebra:A worktext by D. Franklin Wright  - Real world uses can be gathered from several sources. A starting place is your text where you can gather occupations that use your topic by looking at the application problems.
Why study Math?  [http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.why.math.html]
What good is Math?  [http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/education/projects/webunits/math/home.htm]
Math in athletics [http://www.richmond.edu/academics/a&s/education/projects/webunits/math/sport.html]
Exactly How is mathematics used in Technology?  [http://www.math.bcit.ca/examples/table.htm]
Math History  [http://www.aloha.net/~bry/teaching/math.html#Math History]
 
 

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Evaluation

This WebQuest will be evaluated based on the following rubric:

Final Grade = 4 times Individual score (max 64) + 3 times Group score (max 36)

Total points possible = 100

Individual Score

Category	Outstanding 4	Accomplished 3	Developing 2	Minimal 1
Initial research	2(or more) exceptional occupations found using topic	2 interesting occupations found using topic	1 interesting occupation found using topic	1 occupation found using topic
Evidence of group participation	Taking a leadership role in the group and actively participating	Actively participating in the group	Participating in group but only with  minimal input	Providing little input into the group project
Presentation	Providing input into the presentation and making verbal contribution Presentation outstanding	Providing input into the presentation and making verbal contribution	Providing input into the presentation but not making any verbal contribution	Providing little input into the presentation
Creativity	2(or more) interesting sample problems	2 interesting sample problems	1 interesting sample problem	1 sample problem

Group Score

Category	Outstanding 4	Accomplished 3	Developing 2	Minimal 1
Evidence of Group Collaboration	More than 3 interesting occupations found using topic	3 interesting occupations found using topic	3 occupations found using topic	less than 3 occupations found using topic
Accuracy	Exceptional information	Useful information	Little information gained	No information gained
Presentation	Group worked well together. Every individual providing input into the presentation and making verbal contribution Presentation outstanding	Group worked together. Every individual providing input into the presentation and making verbal contribution Good presentation	Group had some difficulties working together. Some individuals providing input into the presentation but not making any verbal contribution	Group depended on one individual to do all the work. Other individuals providing little input into the presentation

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Thanks

The WebQuest concept was originally developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University.

Thank you to Dr. Cindy Peterson for introducing me to so many uses of hypermedia in the classroom.

Thank you to Carolyn Jensen for allowing me to modify her WebQuest for Blinn College students.

Freeware clipart courtesy http://www.aaaclipart.com. and http://www.ClipsAhoy.com

 
 

A Prealgebra WebQuest Designed by Karen Anglin Mathematics Instructor Blinn College Last Updated November 17, 2002 Top