Encyclopedia Project:
1) What have you learned about mathematics through the Encyclopedia Project?
Through the encyclopedia project, I have learned that a lot of different subjects and topics in mathematics were formed many years ago. Each form of an equation went through many years of developing and solving before it came to it's final form today. I was surprised to see how long ago mathematics was starting to be developed. I would have never thought that the quadratic equations first form was developed way back in 2000 BC, from the Babylonians. Soon after, the quadratic equation was being developed by many other people, until it finally came to its modern day form in Europe, dated back to the 12th century. Overall, this project was interesting to learn about, and I was very surprised to learn about how long ago equations were starting to be formed.
2) What have you learned about yourself as a student through this project?
Through this project, I have learned that I am interested in the history behind mathematics. Going into this project, I wasn't too excited, because I thought that the project wasn't going to be interesting. However, diving into this project I soon came to realize that this project is very intriguing, because without it I would never have learned the history behind all mathematic equations. It is amazing to see how long ago equations were being developed. It made me interested, and made me wonder how we see evidence of these equations being formed many years ago. As a student I have never been interested or curious about any type of history. This project showed me that not all history is boring, and it proved to me that learning about the history can be very beneficial. After learning about history, you start to understand where things were developed, and why we are doing them like we are today. This project was only three weeks, but as a student I learned to enjoy learning about history, even if it was for a short period of time.
3) What do you need to do for exhibition preperation to be able to show your audience what you did and learned?
For the exhibition, I need to find a way to display my work on quadratic equations, in a way that interests the community. I need to find a way to have my work look intriguing, and not just on a white poster board with a paragraph showing what I learned. I feel as if I want this to be a very good project, and I need to show that I created something that is both interesting and educational. I need to incorporate my paragraph about quadratic equations, and then I should also find another way to display what I learned that will be engaging and interesting to the audience.
4) What would you do differently next time?
In the Encyclopedia project, if I were to do it again, I would do more research on my topic before I wrote my paragraph on the history of quadratic equations. I say this because at times it was hard to continue to write the paragraph, because I didn't have enough information on the topic. If I would have spent more time on my research, and found more sources, I would have been able to go more in depth in my paragraph and give more exact details. Overall though, I feel as if I did well on the history portion of my project. I have spent a lot of time editing my paragraphs and making them quality work. From this project, I have now learned that more research can never hurt you, especially when you want to go more in-depth.
5) If you were to improve the Encyclopedia, what would you add or change?
If I were to improve the Encyclopedia project, I would add more pictures and visual representations to help make the project more engaging. I would have added photos to help represent the topic on each different document we have created, and I would have constructed a hands on project for each student to design themselves, along with writing their paragraphs. That way, the students could become more engaged in the topics they are learning, and are would be able to incorporate their creativity in order to make beautiful work. In the final exhibition it will end up being more engaging for the community, and it will give the students a good opportunity to use their creative side through mathematics.
Through the encyclopedia project, I have learned that a lot of different subjects and topics in mathematics were formed many years ago. Each form of an equation went through many years of developing and solving before it came to it's final form today. I was surprised to see how long ago mathematics was starting to be developed. I would have never thought that the quadratic equations first form was developed way back in 2000 BC, from the Babylonians. Soon after, the quadratic equation was being developed by many other people, until it finally came to its modern day form in Europe, dated back to the 12th century. Overall, this project was interesting to learn about, and I was very surprised to learn about how long ago equations were starting to be formed.
2) What have you learned about yourself as a student through this project?
Through this project, I have learned that I am interested in the history behind mathematics. Going into this project, I wasn't too excited, because I thought that the project wasn't going to be interesting. However, diving into this project I soon came to realize that this project is very intriguing, because without it I would never have learned the history behind all mathematic equations. It is amazing to see how long ago equations were being developed. It made me interested, and made me wonder how we see evidence of these equations being formed many years ago. As a student I have never been interested or curious about any type of history. This project showed me that not all history is boring, and it proved to me that learning about the history can be very beneficial. After learning about history, you start to understand where things were developed, and why we are doing them like we are today. This project was only three weeks, but as a student I learned to enjoy learning about history, even if it was for a short period of time.
3) What do you need to do for exhibition preperation to be able to show your audience what you did and learned?
For the exhibition, I need to find a way to display my work on quadratic equations, in a way that interests the community. I need to find a way to have my work look intriguing, and not just on a white poster board with a paragraph showing what I learned. I feel as if I want this to be a very good project, and I need to show that I created something that is both interesting and educational. I need to incorporate my paragraph about quadratic equations, and then I should also find another way to display what I learned that will be engaging and interesting to the audience.
4) What would you do differently next time?
In the Encyclopedia project, if I were to do it again, I would do more research on my topic before I wrote my paragraph on the history of quadratic equations. I say this because at times it was hard to continue to write the paragraph, because I didn't have enough information on the topic. If I would have spent more time on my research, and found more sources, I would have been able to go more in depth in my paragraph and give more exact details. Overall though, I feel as if I did well on the history portion of my project. I have spent a lot of time editing my paragraphs and making them quality work. From this project, I have now learned that more research can never hurt you, especially when you want to go more in-depth.
5) If you were to improve the Encyclopedia, what would you add or change?
If I were to improve the Encyclopedia project, I would add more pictures and visual representations to help make the project more engaging. I would have added photos to help represent the topic on each different document we have created, and I would have constructed a hands on project for each student to design themselves, along with writing their paragraphs. That way, the students could become more engaged in the topics they are learning, and are would be able to incorporate their creativity in order to make beautiful work. In the final exhibition it will end up being more engaging for the community, and it will give the students a good opportunity to use their creative side through mathematics.
After Exhibition:
1) What would you do differently if you were exhibiting your project again?
If I were to exhibit my project again, one thing I would do differently is I would have added a better visual component to engage the audience more. For my project, I created a power point, as well as showed the audience the whole encyclopedia that has been developed over the years. There were a lot of words and explanation involved in this project, however, there weren't a lot of images and pictures showing examples. If I were to do this project again I would have added images, and more creativity to my power point to engage the audience better and to make my presentation less complicated. Other than that, I thought this project went really well and there wouldn't be anything else I would have changed.
2) What do you see as your greatest strength and weaknesses moving forward into future math classes?
My greatest strength in math is being able to persevere and not give up as easily on hard problems. In other classes I don't persevere as much, because I don't feel as engaged. Math has always been my strongest subject, and I feel as if I excel in it. I am able to understand complicated problems, and not get as frustrated when something goes wrong. One of my weaknesses in math can be taking tests. Although in the first semester I was doing well on all the tests, this past second semester I have been struggling because for me it is hard to stay focused throughout the whole test. I feel as if I can get better at this weakness by not giving up, and to continue to use the good study habits that I have developed over the years.
If I were to exhibit my project again, one thing I would do differently is I would have added a better visual component to engage the audience more. For my project, I created a power point, as well as showed the audience the whole encyclopedia that has been developed over the years. There were a lot of words and explanation involved in this project, however, there weren't a lot of images and pictures showing examples. If I were to do this project again I would have added images, and more creativity to my power point to engage the audience better and to make my presentation less complicated. Other than that, I thought this project went really well and there wouldn't be anything else I would have changed.
2) What do you see as your greatest strength and weaknesses moving forward into future math classes?
My greatest strength in math is being able to persevere and not give up as easily on hard problems. In other classes I don't persevere as much, because I don't feel as engaged. Math has always been my strongest subject, and I feel as if I excel in it. I am able to understand complicated problems, and not get as frustrated when something goes wrong. One of my weaknesses in math can be taking tests. Although in the first semester I was doing well on all the tests, this past second semester I have been struggling because for me it is hard to stay focused throughout the whole test. I feel as if I can get better at this weakness by not giving up, and to continue to use the good study habits that I have developed over the years.
Semester Exam Project:
1) What did you think of the last project?
I thought the last project went well. I have never done a project like that before, and I thought it was interesting being able to create our own problems, that we would later see on the final. In a way I feel as if it helped many students study, by reviewing certain topics in order to create a problem. Although this project wasn't as engaging as other projects I have done this year, I feel in the end it will be helpful. Now, I have more confidence going into this final, because I know that there won't be any trick questions. I also feel good about it because I have reviewed some topics already by doing this project, and I am hoping to finish of the year well.
2) How are you going to sutdy for the exam?
I am going to study for this exam by going through the the Algebra 2 book we have been working out of tis year, and review chapters 1 through 5.1, as well as chapter 10. At the end of each chapter in the book, there is a chapter review as well as a chapter test. I am going to use those, to help me study and prepare for our semester exam. That way, I know what to expect on the test, and I will be able to be prepared and try my best. The night before the test, I am planning on preparing by going over everything one more time, and by getting a good night sleep. I will make sure to do example problems, and to be well slept for the exam. I am hoping I will do well, and I will be able to finish off the year strong.
3) General reflection about the semester: How did it go, what are your strenghts and weaknesses related to working and understanding the content in Algebra II?
Overall, I think this semester went really well. I was able to keep my grade up, and turn everything in on time. I felt as if I was able to prepare for every test through each Test Review, and I never got to stressed or overwhelmed. I love math and I feel as if I have many strengths in this class. I feel as if I have been able to understand all of the topics this year, and I enjoyed learning it too. One thing I struggled with was finding combinations, in chapter 10.2. It was hard for me to understand this topic because I never fully understood how to create combinations out of a scenario. I remember going to Effi for help many times on this topic, as well as getting help from my peers. Now, I feel as if I still struggle with this topic, however I understand it more than I did in the beginning. I know if I focus on this topic, by reviewing and studying it, I will be able to do it if it shows up on my semester exam. Throughout this year I feel as if I have really excelled in math, and I am planning on doing the exact same thing in the second semester.
I thought the last project went well. I have never done a project like that before, and I thought it was interesting being able to create our own problems, that we would later see on the final. In a way I feel as if it helped many students study, by reviewing certain topics in order to create a problem. Although this project wasn't as engaging as other projects I have done this year, I feel in the end it will be helpful. Now, I have more confidence going into this final, because I know that there won't be any trick questions. I also feel good about it because I have reviewed some topics already by doing this project, and I am hoping to finish of the year well.
2) How are you going to sutdy for the exam?
I am going to study for this exam by going through the the Algebra 2 book we have been working out of tis year, and review chapters 1 through 5.1, as well as chapter 10. At the end of each chapter in the book, there is a chapter review as well as a chapter test. I am going to use those, to help me study and prepare for our semester exam. That way, I know what to expect on the test, and I will be able to be prepared and try my best. The night before the test, I am planning on preparing by going over everything one more time, and by getting a good night sleep. I will make sure to do example problems, and to be well slept for the exam. I am hoping I will do well, and I will be able to finish off the year strong.
3) General reflection about the semester: How did it go, what are your strenghts and weaknesses related to working and understanding the content in Algebra II?
Overall, I think this semester went really well. I was able to keep my grade up, and turn everything in on time. I felt as if I was able to prepare for every test through each Test Review, and I never got to stressed or overwhelmed. I love math and I feel as if I have many strengths in this class. I feel as if I have been able to understand all of the topics this year, and I enjoyed learning it too. One thing I struggled with was finding combinations, in chapter 10.2. It was hard for me to understand this topic because I never fully understood how to create combinations out of a scenario. I remember going to Effi for help many times on this topic, as well as getting help from my peers. Now, I feel as if I still struggle with this topic, however I understand it more than I did in the beginning. I know if I focus on this topic, by reviewing and studying it, I will be able to do it if it shows up on my semester exam. Throughout this year I feel as if I have really excelled in math, and I am planning on doing the exact same thing in the second semester.