Math & Me - Digital Story Telling

Assignment Description:

This is an assignment that I will use during the first week of the fall 2016 semester for an online math class. The purpose of this assignment is for me to get acquainted with my students and their journey with math up until this point. Because I teach Math Support, a lot of my students struggle with math in one way or another. Math anxiety is a real issue and several of my students unfortunately suffer from it. This activity will give my students a chance to tell me their story; explain to me their relationship with math, be it good or bad, and how that relationship has transformed over the years they spent in school. In the past, I have tried to gain this information from my students in the form of a math study skills book, but I have found that they do not really like to write about why they are bad at/why the hate math. So, I believe that this will give them the opportunity to express themselves creatively in the way they want to and hopefully allow them to have a little fun while creating this digital story. It will also help me recognize their potential and help them individually in the areas that they struggle.

Below is what the students will see!_________________________________________________________________________

Digital Story Telling: Math & Me

Assigned: Monday, August 15th
Due: Monday, August 29th 11:59pm

Hello class and welcome to Math 1107 online! As I am sure you all know, not everyone loves math. Some of us struggle for a number of reasons; fear of math, poor teachers in the past, a dislike for numbers, past failures and the list can go on. Since this is an online class, and I may or may not actually meet you in person, it can be hard for me to get to know the specific needs of each of you. In order for me to get to know you before we actually get down to business, I ask that each of you tell me your own math story.

To do this, you will be creating a digital story, in the form of a video, in which you explain to me in detail your relationship/experiences with math from a young age all the way up until today. This is YOUR story and you are free to tell it as you see fit, provided you follow the guidelines below: (Also, before you begin, please review the grading rubric)

• Create this video using Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Movie Maker, or YouTube. Use selected technology correctly and appropriately.
   
• Story must cover your life span: starting with you as a young child, through elementary, middle, high school, and college up until now. (This can be a quick progression, do not spend too much time on any one stage)
  
  
• The purpose of this story is to explain to me in detail your relationship with math, be it good or bad, and how that relationship has transformed over the years you have spent in school (and out, if necessary). Your story needs to tell me about your experiences with math so far. Examples can be but are not limited to: good math teachers, bad math teachers, bad testing experiences, bad grades, good grades, a fear of math, a love of math, encouragement from teachers or parents, discouragement from teachers or parent. Basically how you arrived at your feelings for math today. ANYTHIING you think is relevant to YOUR story, I want to know!
  
  
• Story should be between 3 and 10 minutes in length.
  
  
• Use your own voice to narrate your story. Make sure to speak clearly and concisely, and use fluctuation to make your story more dramatic and relatable.
  
  
• Make sure to pace yourself. Try not to speak too quickly or too slowly.
  
  
• Use images that relate to and help you tell your story efficiently. These can be your own pictures, images that create metaphors, or even cartoons. (A lot of freedom here)
  
  
• Use some sort of background music. Make sure that it is not too loud and overbearing, but also not too soft that you are unable to hear it. Also make sure that the music goes along with your story line and helps to set the mood.
  
  
• Complete and submit presentation (or link) to me via email by the due date 8-29-2016
  
• Please review the Math & Me Rubric before getting started.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at asmith18@fairmontstate.edu and I will be happy to help! Please keep in mind the due date and have fun with this project!

*Please view My Struggle with Mathematics as an example.


**Please view 7 Elements of Digital Story Telling to get a better understanding of how to make your story pop!

***And when all is said an done, please view I Don't Know ("Let It Go" Math Parody) for a laugh!!