Edutainment: Weaving Your Passion Into The Process Of Stem Education, William H. Robertson
Jan 2018
Edutainment: Weaving Your Passion Into The Process Of Stem Education, William H. Robertson
William H. Robertson
This presentation will focus on the use of live action and video instruction as a method of content dissemination and to motivate students in learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Specifically, this area, dubbed “edutainment”, will chronicle different interactions with students, teachers and community members that utilized live action to video as methods of capturing relevant content in student-centered contexts. The fundamental idea is to infuse one's passion into your methods of teaching, and to inspire others to use their gifts in their education, and thereby connect them to their dreams and aspirations.
It Doesn’T Feel Like A Job To Learn: Hispanic Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Dance-Themed Mathematics Education, William H. Robertson
Nov 2017
It Doesn’T Feel Like A Job To Learn: Hispanic Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions Of Dance-Themed Mathematics Education, William H. Robertson
William H. Robertson
A series of dance activities were introduced to preservice teachers (n = 76) to help them understand how mathematics concepts could be associated with dance performance and choreography processes. A total of 468 pieces of qualitative data were collected, including 147 online discussion entries with 248 follow-up 10 comments, and 73 individual reflection essays. The main themes for the various benefits that emerged across the preservice teachers’ reflections were: (1) improving students’ dispositions toward mathematics and creating an enjoyable learning environment for reducing mathematics anxiety; (2) allowing students to develop their creativity and allowing teachers to meet different students’ needs; …
Mathematics Uncovered Through Action Science, William H. Robertson
May 2016
Mathematics Uncovered Through Action Science, William H. Robertson
William H. Robertson
In an event-based series of on-site activities with high school students through an Action Science approach, fundamental concepts were explored including the foundations for functions, geometric think and spatial reasoning, the development of mathematical models, as well as techniques for working with spatial figures to understand underlying relationships. The activities in which students participated were designed to teach fundamental mathematics concepts in algebra and geometry in an approach that utilized transformative educational strategies, which helped students move from memorizing facts and content to constructing knowledge in meaningful and useful manners. With an emphasis on a collaborative data collection process, students …
The Skatepark Mathematics Extravaganza, William H. Robertson
May 2015
The Skatepark Mathematics Extravaganza, William H. Robertson
William H. Robertson
In the fall of 2014, a series of live demonstrations and field-based activities were lead by a team of educators and top action sports athletes who performed at local high schools. These events, entitled the “Skatepark Mathematics Extravaganza”, were done in order to engage high school students in focused explorations of mathematics set in a real world setting that is relevant to youth culture, namely skateboarding and bicycle motocross (BMX).
These activities incorporated mathematics for the students to do after the demonstration in meetings with classes in which the Action Science Stunt Team performed maneuvers on ramps at the …
Scientific Skateboarding And Mathematical Music: Edutainment That Actively Engages Middle School Students, William H. Robertson, Larry Lesser
Jul 2013
Scientific Skateboarding And Mathematical Music: Edutainment That Actively Engages Middle School Students, William H. Robertson, Larry Lesser
William H. Robertson
Edutainment has recently been a major growing area of education, showing great promise to motivate students with relevant activities. The authors are among innovators who have developed cutting-edge fusions of popular culture and STEM concepts to engage and to motivate middle school students, using vehicles such as music/song and skateboarding. The importance of using relevant and practical methods of instruction and curriculum delivery that build on student interests and increase enjoyment in the learning process are critical at the middle school level, especially in the STEM fields. The use of edutainment in this manner is meant to inspire broader interest …
The Mathematics Of Skateboarding: A Relevant Application Of The 5es Of Constructivism, William H. Robertson
Dec 2012
The Mathematics Of Skateboarding: A Relevant Application Of The 5es Of Constructivism, William H. Robertson
William H. Robertson
lives is a challenge for educators. As part of a weeklong mathematics summer enrichment program held in the summer of 2010 at a southern university in the United States (US), eighty-five high school students participated in a unique set of activities designed to integrate mathematics concepts and skateboarding. Project leaders used a constructivist framework to design student-centered experiences implemented in the outdoor setting of a local skatepark and in campus classrooms. The activities designed for students in “The Mathematics of Skateboarding” demonstrated innovative and creative ways to engage students in content and skills mapped to state requirements for high school …
Integrating Mathematical Modeling For Undergraduate Pre-Service Science Education Learning And Instruction In The Middle School Classroom, William H. Robertson, David Carrejo
Dec 2011
Integrating Mathematical Modeling For Undergraduate Pre-Service Science Education Learning And Instruction In The Middle School Classroom, William H. Robertson, David Carrejo
William H. Robertson
El Paso is a bicultural, bilingual community with a 76.6% Hispanic population. Combining El Paso’s population with that of its sister city, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, our community is the largest metropolitan area on any international border in the world. Students at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) are mostly female, and 50% of the total student population is made up of first-generation college students. These demographics are accompanied by low socioeconomic and educational factors: 23.6% of local families live below the poverty level, compared to 12.5% nationally; 32.9% of 25-year-olds have not graduated from high school; 19% of …
