{"id":1134,"date":"2020-07-30T15:12:58","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T19:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adultnumeracyatterc.wordpress.com\/?p=725"},"modified":"2021-04-30T20:38:52","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T20:38:52","slug":"how-to-open-up-word-problems-and-promote-digital-literacy-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/how-to-open-up-word-problems-and-promote-digital-literacy-too\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Open Up Word Problems (and promote digital literacy, too!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Heidi Schuler-Jones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today’s classroom, we know that it is not enough to simply teach math content and skills. Students also need to develop facility with technology tools. Using a traditional word problem as a starting point, here are some ideas for doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, think about ways to ‘open up’ a word problem:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
  1. Limit the information provided to students and instead have them find information<\/strong> based on their own interests.<\/li>
  2. Allow students to make choices on figures<\/strong>, when possible, or recommend a range<\/strong> of choices.<\/li>
  3. Instead of having one answer, provide a way for students to evaluate the information<\/strong> they gathered, organize and make meaning <\/strong>of the information, and communicate the reasoning<\/strong> behind the choices they made using a variety of methods, visuals, and models<\/strong>.<\/li>
  4. Differentiate<\/strong> the same problem for multilevel classrooms<\/strong> by providing conditions for the types of numbers to use. For example, using less-friendly numbers for more advanced students or more friendly and common numbers for less advanced students. Other options: provide more or less information, offer more or less decisions, provide more or less steps (each of these can provide a push for more advanced students or support for those needing greater assistance).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    Next, consider where digital literacy tools might be appropriate and useful<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Suggested digital literacy tools<\/strong> can extend beyond the basic calculator functions. Encourage students to use more advanced functions on their smart phone calculator apps and\/or to become familiar with spreadsheet and graphing functions found in programs like Microsoft Excel<\/a>, Google Sheets<\/a>, and Desmos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, let’s apply these tips to ‘open up’ a traditional workbook problem into opportunities for deeper, more active learning.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
    Traditional workbook problem:<\/strong>\nJohn is interested in buying a used car for $15,000. He puts down 25% with the rest to be paid over a 5-year period. If his monthly payments are $197, how much will he pay altogether for the car?<\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Steps to Open Up 
    Word Problems<\/strong><\/td>    		Closed (traditional) <\/strong>
    word problem<\/strong><\/td>    		Opened-up <\/strong>
    word problem<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Limit the information provided to students and instead have them find information<\/strong> based on their own interests.<\/td>John is interested in buying a used car for $15,000.<\/em><\/td>Check out the prices of vehicles at two different dealerships in the area. Decide on a vehicle that might suit your needs.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
    Allow students to make choices on figures<\/strong>, when possible, or recommend a range<\/strong> of choices.<\/td>He puts down 25% with the rest to be paid over a 5-year period.<\/em><\/td>Decide the amount you want to put down and the number of years you want to finance the vehicle. Decide the maximum monthly payment you can afford.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
    Instead of having one answer, provide a way for students to evaluate the information<\/strong> they gathered, organize and make meaning <\/strong>of the information, and communicate the reasoning<\/strong> behind the choices they made using a variety of methods, visuals, and models<\/strong>.<\/td>If his monthly payments are $197, how much will he pay altogether for the car?<\/em><\/td>Create a graph and\/or in-out table to show the cost of the vehicle over the years that you have financed it for and be prepared to explain your choices.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
    Differentiate<\/strong> the same problem for multilevel classrooms<\/strong> by providing conditions for the types of numbers to use. For example, using less-friendly numbers for more advanced students or more friendly and common numbers for less advanced students. Other options: provide more or less information, offer more or less decisions, provide more or less steps (each of these can provide a push for more advanced students or support for those needing greater assistance).<\/td><\/td>Conditions for more advanced students:<\/strong>
    Estimate a reasonable answer first. Use two different down payment percents with a non-repeating fraction or decimal in each. Compare two different car deals on a trend graph.<\/em>

    Conditions for less advanced students:<\/strong>
    Estimate a reasonable answer first. Use one of the following benchmark percents for the down payment: 10%, 15%, or 25%. Use the provided in-out table below<\/strong> to track the cost of the vehicle after the down payment (Year 0) and for each of the next 5 years.<\/em>
             \"\"<\/td><\/tr>
    Suggested digital literacy tools<\/strong> can extend beyond the basic calculator functions. Encourage students to use more advanced functions on their smart phone calculator apps and\/or to become familiar with spreadsheet and graphing functions found in programs like Microsoft Excel<\/a>, Google Sheets<\/a>, and Desmos<\/a>.<\/td>Calculator
    Smart phone (calculator<\/td>    		Calculator
    Smart phone (calculator)
    Amortization calculator<\/a> or app
    Web search
    Spreadsheets and graphs
       *   Excel
       *  Google Sheets
       *  Desmos<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Another way to open-up traditional problems is to remove the question completely<\/strong> and simply ask, \u201cWhat do you notice?\u201d and \u201cWhat do you wonder?\u201d Using our example above, the word problem would thus shorten to simply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    John is interested in buying a used car for $15,000. He puts down 25% with the rest to be paid over a 5-year period.<\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
    Students spend a minute jotting down the things they notice and wonder and then share these observations with a partner or the whole class. It generates critical thinking and reasoning about what information is needed before attempting to plug into a formula or calculating numbers that may not be relevant. It\u2019s quite common for students to come up with the actual question themselves but in their own words, which helps to make sense of the problem. It also gives them practice developing test-like questions themselves based on their own understanding of the problem and the choices they make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    From those noticings\/wonderings, students can follow the steps to open-up word problems as shown in the table above. Watch this video to learn more about this strategy: Ever Wonder What They\u2019d Notice?: Annie Fetter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure>
    \n
    Heidi Schuler-Jones has worked in adult education since 2006. She participated in the pilot program of the Adult Numeracy Instruction \u2013 Professional Development (ANI-PD) in Georgia in 2010 and immediately found its techniques, methodologies, and research-based resources to be of tremendous value to her teaching and to the variety of students she saw daily. Heidi currently is a consultant for the SABES numeracy team where she facilitates trainings and works on course and curriculum development, including the Curriculum for Adults Learning Math (CALM)<\/a>. She also facilitates the Adults Reaching Algebra Readiness (AR)2<\/sup> institutes for AV°ÍÊ¿<\/a>. Heidi also is a LINCS national trainer for math and numeracy and serves as President-Elect of the Adult Numeracy Network<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
    <\/p>\n
    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
    by Heidi Schuler-Jones<\/p>\n
    In today’s classroom, we know that it is not enough to simply teach math content and skills. Students also need to develop facility with technology tools. Using a traditional word problem as a starting point, here are some ideas for doing so.<\/p>\n
    First, think about ways to ‘open up’ a word problem:<\/p>\n
    Limit the information provided to students and instead have them find information based on their own interests.Allow students to make choices on figures,   » Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":1298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"cp_meta_data":{"_coblocks_attr":[""],"_coblocks_dimensions":[""],"_coblocks_responsive_height":[""],"_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":[""],"advanced_seo_description":[""],"amp_status":["disabled"],"spay_email":[""],"_publicize_job_id":["47168829998"],"timeline_notification":["1596136382"],"_publicize_done_external":["a:1:{s:7:\"twitter\";a:1:{i:22296265;s:62:\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AV°ÍÊ¿AdultNumrcy\/status\/1288915523691073537\";}}"],"_publicize_done_21639002":["1"],"_wpas_done_22296265":["1"],"publicize_twitter_user":["AV°ÍÊ¿AdultNumrcy"],"_edit_lock":["1619815232:16"],"_thumbnail_id":["1298"],"_edit_last":["16"],"custom_page_title":[""],"_custom_page_title":["field_5db45d9c2601b"],"external_link":[""],"_external_link":["field_5d6033845a92c"],"hide_share_buttons":["0"],"_hide_share_buttons":["field_5e5c1be61306c"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1134"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1299,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1134\/revisions\/1299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terc.edu\/adultnumeracycenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}