The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Here's an excerpt: The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner can carry about 250 passengers. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2012. If it were a Dreamliner, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people. Click here to see … Continue reading 2012 in review
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Online Learning Part II: MOOCs
In my post Online Learning: Current Developments and Future Predictions, I discussed some implications of free online courses, including accreditation and obtaining degrees. These massive open online courses (MOOCs) are constantly evolving, and I’d like to continue the conversation. Let’s start with the following question. What differentiates a MOOC from a regular online course? Probably … Continue reading Online Learning Part II: MOOCs
Online Learning: Current Developments and Future Predictions
Online courses and virtual learning are gaining ground, supported by the idea that learning can happen anytime, any place, anywhere. Stanford, Columbia, and many other leading universities are now offering free online courses. Individuals (many of which are distinguished professors) have launched their own platforms such as Coursera and edX. Already, 33 institutions such as … Continue reading Online Learning: Current Developments and Future Predictions
Math and Language are Interconnected
Math provides a way to visualize and comprehend concepts from disciplines far and wide. As such, appropriate use of language is crucial in expressing ideas from these disciplines, including mathematics. Unfortunately, students often do not see the connection between mathematics and reading/writing. An important example is the use of conjunctions such as "and" and "or." … Continue reading Math and Language are Interconnected
Algebra Necessary for Innovative Thinking
Andrew Hacker, emeritus professor of political science at Queens College, City University of New York, gave his take on algebra education in a New York Times opinion piece in July. He argued for its elimination, claiming that algebra isn’t necessary for students’ future success. Even those who have advanced degrees in STEM subjects are unable … Continue reading Algebra Necessary for Innovative Thinking
CCSS a Means to an End
There is a lot of hype these days about the common core standards. On May 31, I attended a panel discussion hosted by Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. The event was called “Investing in Families and Schools,” and all I knew initially was that it would be on implementing the common core standards. I left … Continue reading CCSS a Means to an End