MATHMAGIC

Mathematics on the Internet

Don Cruser                                                     

Mendocino High School
dcruser@mhs.
mendocino.k12.
ca.us  

California State Framework Area: Mathematics                                                                                  

Grade Level: 9-12         
Length of unit: Ongoing throughout the school year

Abstract:
Using E-mail on the Internet, teams of students from different schools 
will collaborate in the writing of solutions to open-ended problems 
posted by MathMagic. Final solutions will be submitted for 
consideration and evaluation. This unit is designed for a one computer 
classroom.

Produced in conjunction with the NASA K-12 NREN Partner School 
Program and the California Telemation Project

I. INTRODUCTION

TodayÕs students will live and work in the 21st century, an era 
dominated by a global economy, worldwide communication, and 
powerful computers. This is a world in which science and technology 
will influence all aspects of life, from health and environment to 
financial affairs, politics, and national defense. Mathematics is the 
foundation of this setting since technology has mathematicized the 
workplace and statistics have permeated public policy debates. 
Participating members of this biosphere will have to be prepared to 
absorb new ideas, to perceive patterns, and to solve unconventional 
problems. 

Mathematics education is in transition as it adapts to the changing 
needs of students. The use of calculators and computers has greatly 
reduced the former emphasis on computation and the mechanics of 
math. At the same time there is a greater demand for mathematical 
versatility, reasoning, modeling, confidence, persistence, and 
communication. 

The mathematics curriculum has moved to offering a wider variety of 
problems. It is still necessary to spend time on mastering basic skills 
with short exercises, but  in addition, students work cooperatively on 
larger, long-term projects. Within the current educational literature 
these multi-dimensional problems are referred to as nonroutine, or 
open-ended problems. They are characterized by allowing for a variety 
of solutions that require the students to analyze and select a strategy. Of 
primary concern is the studentsÕ ability to demonstrate and justify their 
mathematics with written explanations, diagrams, charts, graphs, 
models, and symbolic notation. It is worth noting that this type of 
problem forms the major component of the newly developed CLAS 
test. The purpose of this unit is to connect with MathMagic through 
the Internet in order to incorporate nonroutine problems into the 
math curriculum. 

MathMagic is a K-12 telecommunications project developed in El Paso, 
Texas that provides  a strong motivator for students to use computer 
technology while increasing problem-solving strategies and 
communications skills. MathMagic periodically posts open-ended 
problems into each of four categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12). A 
student team pairs up with another team over the Internet to engage in 
an exchange of problem-solving dialogue. When an agreement is 
reached, one solution is posted for every pair.

II. STUDENT OUTCOMES

Students will:
-- be able to use e-mail telecommunications.

-- collaborate in the solving of problems.

-- employ a variety of methods in problem solving.

-- demonstrate, justify, and revise solutions.

-- evaluate and create open-ended problems.


III. ACTIVITIES

1.  Teams

Student teams, ideally with 2-3 members, will be formed within the 
class.

2.  Registered or Unregistered?

Since the registration fee is $12, there will be only one registered team 
each period to begin with, and only members of the registered team 
will engage in the e-mail communications.

3.  Challenges

The open-ended problems, or ÒchallengesÓ as MathMagic calls them, 
will be posted every 3 weeks. All teams will write a solution.

4.  E-mail

Once the problem is posted the registered team will write to other 
teams from another locality until they agree to become Net Team 
Partners (NTP). Messages at this stage are informal as students 
exchange information about themselves, their schools, and 
communities. The range for forming partnerships extends to the 
international level.

5.  Collaboration

The Net Team Partners will discuss problem solving strategies and 
collaborate in the writing of a solution to the challenge. Clearly, this 
situation creates a need for students to demonstrate, communicate, and 
revise their mathematics that cannot be duplicated when confined to 
the classroom. Final solutions will be posted with MathMagic.

6.  New Teams

New teams will be formed for each new challenge. Membership on the 
registered team will be rotated until every student has had the 
opportunity to participate in the e-mail collaboration. If there is 
enough interest then perhaps students will contribute to the formation 
of more registered teams.

IV. ASSESSMENT

All teams will produce and present to the class a final solution for 
evaluation and inclusion in the determination of a students grade. 
Grading will be based upon participation, peer review, and a holistic 
rubric model. 

Note on MathMagic Registration

Anyone wanting to register must begin with a free subscription to one 
of the Ò...-openÓ lists. Send the following e-mail message:

TO: majordomo@forum.swarthmore.edu
(No Subject- just the message)
subscribe mathmagic-X-Y-open
where X-Y is either K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 or general. To UNSUBSCRIBE 
(when a user no longer wants to be part of the Mailing List) send the 
same message as above, but replace ÒsubscribeÓ with ÒunsubscribeÓ.