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Write-to-Learn Math: A Place for Research

Increase your students' motivation by delving into history, mathematical applications, and other areas worthy of research with one of the ideas suggested in this article.
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Write-to-Learn: A Place for Research
 
Making Connections
Math research activities can increase student motivation by making connections to real life applications of mathematics. Writing activities such as this can be longer-term assignments, usually lasting a week or two, and can be completed individually, or in small groups.
 
For a research activity, prepare an assignment handout that lists the required elements, how the assignment will be evaluated, and when it is due. You may want to include a rough draft milestone, especially if it is an initial written assignment.
 
Biographies of Famous Mathematicians
Newton, Fermi, Pascal, Galileo, Euclid, and of course, Albert Einstein, are just a few of the mathematicians about which your students can research and write reports. These reports can be assigned as traditional biographies, or for a more creative assignment, as newspaper obituaries.
 
Careers that Require Mathematics
Have small groups research various careers and write a report that they will present to class. Have students include specific examples of mathematics used in the career they research. Possible careers include: architect, chemist, physicist, engineer, statistician, chef, engineer, landscape designer, fashion designer, graphic designer, and football coach. Have students conduct interviews, research college courses required for applicable degrees, read magazine and newspaper articles, and read traditional reference books on each career.
 
Conduct a Survey
The math strands of data, statistics, and probability lend themselves to interesting research and writing activities. For example, small groups can design and conduct surveys. Begin the activity by sharing several examples of published surveys and discussing the survey questions. Have your students discuss and decide whether or not the survey questions were clearly written and easy to answer. Each group will need to determine a survey topic, decide on an appropriate sampling technique, write the survey questions, and finally, assure that there is no bias in the survey or sample population before conducting their survey. Along with appropriate statistical measures, have your students write a detailed summary of the process they undertook, as well as a summary of their findings. Make sure your students include at least one graph in their summary. 

Teacher Tip

If your students are struggling with a writing activity, don't hesitate to model desirable strategies for completing the assignment and a sample high quality final product. Present a sample final product for a written assignment to your class. Discuss with your students the thought processes you went through to complete the assignment. Point out the critical elements of your final product and describe how they met the expectations for the assignment.

 
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