Digital assets like Discovery Education’s “Multiplying Two Polynomials” video segment from Algebra: Multiplying Polynomials have high edutainment value. This video tells the simple story of a family garden plot. As the garden plot grows, the video shows the algebraic expansion and then confirms and reinforces the algebraic concepts using area calculations. Although a skateboard park might have been a stronger engagement hook for our students, the video luminously provides helpful concrete visual images of algebraic variables and polynomials that can be stored for reference in memory.
As I develop math outcomes, I strive to create and integrate digital assets that facilitate the four parts of our learning template; engagement, exploration, application, and connection. I know I’ve found one when I hear myself saying, “I wished I had had this when I was a student.” I look first to video (with the exclusion of talking head videos) and then static images. I also treasure virtual labs because they support us as we predict and test our predictions. This makes our learning active rather than passive.
“Multiplying Two Polynomials” video segment excerpt from Algebra: Multiplying Polynomials. ModuMath, 2007. Full Video. 29 September 2010. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
