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D I S C U S S I O N
These questions are aimed at helping you think through your experience.
NOTE: If you are using this web site as part of a workshop with a host, you'll go through this discussion live, and needn't read through it now.
1. What math did we use in the activity?
- Concept of variable: we used different values for interest rate, down payment and term of loan to find the best monthly payment and total cost.
- Analyzing tables: we studied tables of data to find patterns and discover relationships between variables.
- Problem solving: we used our knowledge of the relationships among interest rate, down payment and loan term to find the lowest monthly payments and total cost.
2. How is this activity different than what you learned in school or what you did in school?
- The math learning was built around a real life activity: buying and financing a car.
- The learning experience was organized on the internet.
- Actual calculation was de-emphasized (it was done by the computer). The emphasis was on using the results of the calculations to solve higher level problems (manipulating variables to minimize monthly payments and total cost).
3. How did the technology help you with the math you had to do?
- It provided resources like definitions of vocabulary words, step by step instructions and mathematical tools.
- It took care of a lot of the busy-work (repeated computations) allowing you to think about big picture ideas like seeing patterns.
- It allowed you to jump right in and get started, even if you didn’t have previous knowledge of financing.
4. How could you use the internet to help your child with math?
- Search for definitions and explanations of concepts.
- Visit homework help sites with your child.
- Find activities/games for enrichment or extra practice.
- Connect with other parents and teachers.
- Ask questions of experts.
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