Assignment Three: Using Data to teach college algebra
A) Find three locations for real world data on the Internet and design a real-world problem that can incorporates the use of one or more of these data sets/ data bases. Solve the problem using manipulation and interpretations.
The three website that can be used to for data are:
1) http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/weight_loss/10000.html
****** The algebra problem I have created is attached as a Camtasia file called College Algebra Problem.
B) Write a statement explaining how, when, where data should be used in a college algebra course.
How?
Data should be collected for a college algebra course by first find out what the students’ interests are. This will bring the project to life for the students and they may care more about the results. I would recommend that the students use search engines like Yahoo or MSN. If they are looking for professional journal my college’s media center website offers search engines that are designed for professional research.
When?
I feel that instructors should ask students to collect their own data after the instructor has explained data error. Students seem to have the misconception that everything works out in the end. For example, many students believe that data will always form a perfect parabola or a linear equation and in real life that does not occur. Instructor need to discuss outliers, various types of regression, line and curve fitting, and how data can be manipulated. Once these lessons have been taught, then students can collect their own data.
Where?
The information can be found on the Internet, but the students should be cautioned to find reliable sites with accurate information. There are many sites that are personal web pages with inaccurate information and the students need to find web sites that may be official or government organizations.