Jon Oaks

Author: Jon Oaks

  • Slides from my M.S. Presentation (Circa 2007)

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    I thought maybe someone would be interested in viewing these slides. microsoft-word-slides2.pdf Download this file

  • Helpful Links (circa 2005)

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    Note (8/5/2024) – Many of the newer links I’ve added to the website can be found on this page. This list of links was complied somewhere around 2005.  Ugh.  That seems like a long time ago.  I’m a lot better than this now. Statistics Links Oakland University Mathematics Department A Guide to Statistical Software Free…

  • Logic Puzzle

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    If someone can figure out this logic puzzle, please let me know.  I’m wondering why I saw SPARTAN brand hand soap at The University of Michigan.  

  • Videos on Multiplying Fractions

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    A couple of students in my on-line classes have been asking questions about multiplying fractions.  Should you simplify before or after multiplying?  How should you simplify?  By cross-canceling directly, or by a prime factorization and cross-canceling combo?  Here are some videos I have made to help clarify the situation. http://content.screencast.com/users/Mallwalker52/folders/Jing/media/595b65da-573a-4dfd-92c3-2416f129b1f5/jingswfplayer.swf View on screencast.com » http://content.screencast.com/users/Mallwalker52/folders/Jing/media/6637f493-b715-43a6-8400-fa4e3be154c1/jingswfplayer.swf View…

  • Free Open Reference Interactive Geometry Book

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    Check out this website I found at mathopenref.com I will definitely be using some of the applets here the next time that I teach geometry as part of a pre-algebra course. In fact, maybe I’ll have the students read through this and play with all of the applets as part of their homework (before) coming…

  • Thoughts on Assigning Homework

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    Proponents of assigning homework probably believe that students need regular practice outside of class.  While I’m totally not against students practicing math outside of class, I don’t believe that we should give homework simply so that the students can practice.  Let me clarify: I’m not saying that students do not need the practice at all.  And…

  • New Slope Game

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    I hope you enjoy this game!  I would love to have any feedback if you decide to use it. Slope game Other Slope Resources Applets 1.  Interactive Slope Applet – Although I ran out of time to actually use this with my own class, this is a wonderful resource that lets students click and drag points…

  • MindMap for Basic Mathematics Project

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    I learned a lot from the class that I took on Online Learning and Teaching this semester.  We used the book Understanding by Design by Wiggins and McTighe.  This course has revolutionized the entire way that I think about teaching and learning.  As of late, when planning lessons, I keep finding myself needing to list the…

  • Thoughts on Preparing Students for College

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    This is my response to this post in The Chronicle of Higher Education. It is my understanding that there is still a major problem with equality in this country and that many students who go to inner-city or rural schools may not have the same opportunities as students who live in affluent suburban neighborhoods.  I…

  • Thoughts on Critical Thinking in Mathematics

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    This is my response to this comment by a reader of The New York Times. First of all, as a math instructor, I’m a little offended that this reader has called our education system pathetic without actually giving a solution to the problem.  Although, I understand where the reader is coming from in terms of…