My school is shut down for at least the next two weeks due to the coronavirus. Our teachers will be meeting for the next two or three days to prepare a remote learning program for our students.

The Khan Academy Solution

This is a tough time for everyone, but fortunately Khan Academy has provided a solution that will allow teachers to facilitate effective remote learning with their students. As a math teacher I will focus on the math solutions that are available. I know that Khan does have other subject matter as well.

I will link below to the video that Khan Academy put out on March 13, 2020 to show teachers how to remotely implement their online learning program with students. Here are some of the highlights:

• Teachers can assign instructional videos, problem sets, quizzes, and tests through Khan Academy and give these assignments a due date.
• Students receive instant feedback and are able to try the problems again if they do not solve them correctly.
• In addition to the instructional videos, there are written hints available to students that will help them understand the mathematics.
• Individual student results are available to the teacher. This will save us from having to somehow collect and then evaluate student work. Khan Academy will do this automatically!

The linked video below is a little over 30 minutes long. I highly recommend watching the entire video to learn how to create classes, get your students into your classes, set up assignments, and view student progress.

Below the video I will include a link to a pdf file of the presentation that was provided by Khan Academy.

Khan Academy Remote Learning Video

Khan Academy Remote Learning PDF

Here is a link to the Khan Academy Remote Learning PDF. You can also access this resource in pdf as well as other forms by following the link below the YouTube video, clicking on “File” and then “Download.”

Kudos to Khan Academy for providing a clear and effective way for teachers to continue to teach mathematics remotely as we all deal with the effects of the coronavirus. These are difficult times and we are sailing through uncharted waters.

I will add on to, or revise this blog post as needed, after I actually begin working with my students remotely. Please feel free to share any ideas, tips, or hints that would benefit your fellow teachers in the comments below. Comments are moderated so they may not appear right away.

God bless you as you teach mathematics and make a difference in the lives of your students – even from a distance.

Mark

The Marshmallow Challenge is a fun activity that encourages students to work together and to develop strategies in order to solve a complex problem.  I have used the Marshmallow Challenge on the very first day of school and on the second day of school.  However, I believe it also fits in nicely on the day before a long holiday or at any other time that fits your schedule.

The Challenge

Teams of four students are given a marshmallow, 20 pieces of spaghetti, a yard of string, and a yard of tape.  Their task is to create the tallest free-standing structure that can hold the marshmallow on top in a given period of time.  I use 20 minutes in my classroom although the TED Talk video that I will refer you to only suggests 18 minutes.  Use your own judgment on the length of time.

Why Assign the Marshmallow Challenge?

There are a number of reasons why I use the Marshmallow Challenge in my classroom.  First of all, the Marshmallow Challenge is a complex problem that involves the consideration of many factors.  What is the best design structure for the spaghetti tower?  Do students realize the strength of triangles in building structures?  (Don’t tell them!)  How should the marshmallow be secured, or should it?  What is the best way to use the tape?  the string?  Are students allowed to tape things to the desk that they are working on?  (I let them.) These factors are similar in nature to the types of questions our students will ask when we present a problem to them in class.

Secondly, I want to see how my students will communicate and work together as a team.  Who steps up as a leader?  Who prefers to listen thoughtfully but is still able to provide valuable input?  Who tries to slide by with as little contribution as possible?  Especially if you decide to implement this activity at the beginning of the school year, you will gain valuable initial insights into the ways that your new students operate.

I am also interested to see what strategies the team devises to complete the Marshmallow Challenge.  As you will see when you watch the video, often students put all of their eggs into one basket by implementing only one strategy and then testing its success seconds before the timer runs out.  This is a recipe for disaster and many groups will end up with their marshmallow at a height of zero inches (sitting on the desk).

Finally, the kids have FUN!!  There is a lot of talk, high energy, and the 20 minutes seem to disappear so quickly. [Read more…]