Martin Ruiz - Filed under 'math'

The Manga Guide to Calculus

hackedu math

Can you really sweeten calculus with manga?

I happen to like both math and manga so I suppose this is not meant for someone like me... But I plan to check it out anyway.

On the other hand, the "Gamification" of math (and learning) seems to be gaining traction.

My son was recently playing an online video game with math problems along the way. He faced off with friends while Skyping. The Skyping made it more like XBox gaming where you talk with other gamers during play. It's not clear whether he learned anything. However, I think it sharpened his arithmetic skills, but more importantly, putting math in the critical path appears to have raised it's value and importance. I like that.

So in addition to teaching and improving math skills, games might help teachers answer that age old question, "When will I ever use that(math)?"

Mathopolis

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via imeveryone.com

Don't think this is real, but if it is...

Help Jaime Escalante: Mathematics Teacher, Education Hacker, Inspiration

hackedu math

Mr. Escalante is 79 and struggling with cancer. Actor Edward James Olmos, who played him in the film "Stand and Deliver" has set up a site to help him. Click here to help.

Many know Jaime "Kimo" Escalante from the 80's film "Stand and Deliver", about a Calculus Teacher that inspires his struggling students to take pride in themselves, work hard, and achieve their dreams. In real life, Kimo built and ran what is possibly the most successful and most ambitious inner-city math program in the US. He helped so many pass calculus, but what's amazing is that he did not hand pick the students most likely to pass. Instead, he offered his class to any and all students who wanted it.

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Now he's 79 and struggling with cancer. Actor Edward James Olmos, who played Kimo in the film, has set up a site to help him.

Here's a quote from Kimo.

"One of the greatest things you have in life is that no one has the authority to tell you what you want to be. You’re the one who’ll decide what you want to be. Respect yourself and respect the integrity of others as well. The greatest thing you have is your self image, a positive opinion of yourself. You must never let anyone take it from you." - Kimo

... and here's one my favorite scenes from "Stand and Deliver" --- "What Calculus?"