Conference papers

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https://hdl.handle.net/10587/1195
Conference papers authored by Eva Knoll.

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Browsing Conference papers by Author "Morgan, Simon"

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    Barn-Raising an Endo-Pentakis-Icosi-Dodecahedron
    (Bridges: Mathematical Connections in Art, Music, and Science, 1999) Knoll, Eva; Morgan, Simon
    The workshop is planned as the raising of an endo-pentakis-icosi-dodecahedron with a 1 meter edge length. This collective experience will give the participants new insights about polyhedra in general, and deltahedra in particular. The specific method of construction applied here, using kite technology and the snowflake layout allows for a perspective entirely different from that found in the construction of hand-held models or the observation of computer animations. In the present case, the participants will be able to pace the area of the flat shape and physically enter the space defined by the polyhedron.
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    Experiencing research practice in pure mathematics in a teacher training context
    (International group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2004) Knoll, Eva; Morgan, Simon; Ernest, Paul
    This paper presents the early results of an experiment involving a class of elementary student teachers within the context of their mathematics preparation. The motivation of the exercise centred on giving them an experience with mathematical research at their own level and ascertaining its impact on their attitudes and beliefs. The students spent the first month working on open-ended geometrical topics. In the second month, working alone or in groups of up to four, they chose one or more of these topics then worked on a problem of their own design. The students spent the class time developing their ideas using strategies such as generating examples and nonexamples, generalising, etc. Reference to books was not accepted as a research tool, but the instruction team monitored student progress and was available for questions.
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    Preliminary Field Explorations in K-6 Math-Ed: the Giant Triangles as Classroom Manipulatives
    (Bridges: Mathematical Connections in Art, Music, and Science, 2002) Knoll, Eva; Morgan, Simon
    The present paper reports on children’s investigations using the giant equilateral triangles from the Geraldine Project2. It took place at the De Zavala Elementary School as the initial stage of a project in mathematics education. The triangles are a part of a modular construction kit made using kite technology. Their size, sturdiness and light weight make them ideal for in-class activities with children of all ages and stages of development. The school is located in a low socio-economic hispanic neighbourhood consisting of blue-collar families living in apartments and rental houses as well as small businesses and industries. Most of the students at the school are recent immigrants from Mexico or Central America or first generation born to immigrant families. Their parents have little or no education and are forced to work on jobs that entail long hours, frequently into the evening or night. This situation makes it difficult for parents to provide their children with appropriate support as students. At this stage, the structure of the activities that make up lessons emerged from the response of the children as the activities were tried. This approach, despite its unplanned nature, allowed for the introduction of much mathematical content, and the attention of the children was relatively easy to catch and hold. The activities successfully combined the play aspect of the giant triangles with the mathematical concept explorations that the instructors overlayed. In some cases the children were allowed to build their own shapes, which were then examined with them. The outcome of these trial activities was then used as a basis for lesson planning in later stages of the pilot project.