Week 08- Constructivist Activities for the LMS (Moodle-Canvas) Course

My course is about teaching Trigonometry to people in a way that they apply it and use it.  Too often, math subjects are treated like concrete flatwork. Put in a few forms, set your leveling grade, pour in the fluid concrete until the space has been covered, pack it in (screed, tamp push, pound, rake and jiggle it), then smooth it all of pretty and hope cures right.  So I want to deviate from the norm, yet not create a burden of “more is better” work for the students.  Time is precious to us and to our students', busy work is anti-learning in its very nature.

I have planned a course overview, with a screencast video to guide the students through how to use the LMS, a 10 things to avoid frustration and be successful, a copy of the learning plan and syllabus, 2 chapter modules with assignments and quizzes, a review module with constructivist activities that link course learning and objectives to the world of work, and an exit survey.  I am also loading all files used to be resident in the LMS, and adding some cool videos that clarify some of the complex concepts.

Also, I am creating several guides and helps for building a good schema of how to apply the math to situated  and problem-based learning activities.  I am also using discussions and peer review .

I have developed a syllabus for the imaginary class and a complete UbD backward design after completing an ADDIE assessment.  I am finding that this can be a model for me to build several classes around, even though I no longer teach math.  It is making me be a better teacher.