Transcript Bootstrap: A Unique Approach to Teaching Algebra through

Risk & Opportunity
Mathematics and the Rise of #CSforAll
The best-laid plans
• The Plan: make $$ in tech, then teach!
• New Plan: teach computer science!
• New New Plan: teach algebra!
“Computer Science is
nice-to-have, but
Algebra is a must-have.”
-Many, many Principals
Why Algebra is a “Must-Have”
Gateway to
STEM & Beyond
Income and
Equity
Standardized
Testing
A train leaves
Chicago at 6pm,
traveling east at
70mph…
“Why is Algebra so Hard?”
=
☐
9
*4+2
2
☐
3
☐
21
f(x)
===
x+2
object
process
6
“Arithmetic is to math as
spelling is to journalism.”
- Me, right now
Maybe programming can help?
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Coding got trendy!
The Risk
Why CS Poses Problems for Math
Most K12 Programming is Math Hostile
Numbers
½ * 2 = 0
Variables
x = 10
x = x+2
Functions
You don’t even
want to know…
Who’s Going to Teach It?
Certification
Teachers
Money
Time & Space
The Opportunity
Why CS might be a Good Thing for Math
• Algebraic Language
• Going beyond numbers…all
the way to videogames
• Structured Problem-Solving
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Multiple representations
Worked Examples
Align to National and State Standards
Applies to both programming and
mathematics
• Taking teacher needs seriously
10,000 Foot View
• Brainstorming, and Circles of Evaluation
• Datatypes, Domain &Range
+
22 + 33
f
f2(2, 33)
10,000 Foot View
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Brainstorming, and Circles of Evaluation
Datatypes, Domain &Range
height : Number -> Number
Defining Functions
height(1)
7*1
Animating your Game
height(2)
7*2
height(3)
7*3
height(t) = 7 * t
10,000 Foot View
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Brainstorming, and Circles of Evaluation
Datatypes, Domain &Range
Defining Functions
Animating your Game
Booleans and Inequalities
Piecewise Functions
ìk = "up", y +10 ü
updatePlayer(y, k) = í
ý
îk = "down", y -10þ
0 < f(x) < 640
10,000 Foot View
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Brainstorming, and Circles of Evaluation
Datatypes, Domain &Range
Defining Functions
Animating your Game
Booleans and Inequalities
Piecewise Functions
Pythagorean Theorem
Game Release Party!
Impact
• Successful transfer into Algebra! (see BootstrapWorld.org/impact)
• Teachers reported higher student engagement
• Equity and Diversity by design
15 Thousand Students Annually
43% Girls and Young Women
46% African-American or Latino
Building on a Strong Foundation
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Bootstrap:1 (Algebra)
Bootstrap:2 (Data Structures)
Bootstrap: Lightweight Data Science
Bootstrap: Physics
Get Involved
• District Outreach
• Preservice Math/CS Teacher Training
• Check us out: Swarthmore, PA: November 10-12th
Takeaways
• Programming means different things
• Risk: divert critical resources from math, stigma for CS
• Reward: improved math and CS access, faster and cheaper
• The math field must be active in this discussion
/BootstrapWorld
/+BootstrapworldOrg
[email protected]
/BootstrapWorld