D.E.V.

To Develop your Expert Voice.

Your Task:

Think back on all the things you have learned so far this trimester and create (not copy) four problems that are representative of what you have learned. Provide explanations of your solutions to the problems; they should be explained well enough for an interested learner to understand and learn from you. Your problems should demonstrate the upper limit of your understanding of the concepts. (I expect more complex problems from a student with a sophisticated understanding than from a student with just a basic grasp of concepts.) You must also include a brief summary reflection (250 words max) on this process and also a comment on what you have learned so far.

If you wish you may work in groups of two or three students but not more. A group of two students is required to create five problems; a group of three, six problems.

Timeline

You will choose your own due date based on your personal schedule and working habits. The absolute final deadline is November 23rd, 2015. You shouldn't really choose this date. Make sure you set an appropriate schedule for you (and your group) to finish this project.

Format

Your work must be published as an online presentation. You may do so in any format that you wish using any digital tool(s) that you wish. It may be as simple as an extended blog post, it may be a video uploaded to YouTube, it may be a SlideShare, a Prezi, a Google Drive (Google Doc) presentation, a file uploaded to DropBox's public folder, a PowerPoint uploaded to AuthorStream, or even a podcast. The sky is the limit with this. You can find a list of free online tools you can use here (a wiki put together by Darren Kuropatwa and other teachers specifically for this purpose).  Feel free to mix and match the tools to create something original if you like.  For uploading videos to YouTube longer than 15 min, go here:  https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/71673?hl=en. 

Your grade will not be reduced based on your knowledge of these tools; however, they can be used to add creativity for bonus points. 

Summary

So, when you are done your presentation should contain:
(a) 4 (or 5, or 6) problems you created. Concepts included should span the content of at least two full units. This means that within your 4 (or 5, or 6) problems, you’ve covered different concepts from different units.  You are not required to overlap units in one problem, however, this technique could add to the demonstration of your expertise.  The idea is for this to be a mathematical sampler of your expertise in mathematics.

(b) Each problem must include a solution with a detailed explanation. The explanation should be written so that an interested learner can learn from you. This is where you take on the role of teacher.

(c) At the end of the entire process, write a brief reflection (each person in a group must complete their own) that includes comments on:

• Why did you choose the concepts you did to create your problem set?
• How do these problems provide an overview of your best mathematical understanding of what you have learned so far?
• Did you learn anything from this assignment? Was it educationally valuable to you? (Be honest with this. If you got nothing out of this assignment
   then say that, but be specific about what you didn't like and offer a suggestion to improve it in the future.)

Experts always look back at where they have been to improve in the future.

(d) Your presentation must be published online in any format of your choosing on our blog.  Give your project a title with D.E.V. included in the name.
Experts are recognized not just for what they know but for how they demonstrate their expertise in a public forum.


Levels of Achievement

Instead of levels 1-4 (lowest to highest) we will use these descriptors. They better describe what this project is all about.  See the rubric for detailed explanations.

Youngling: A person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which he or she is placed.

Padawan: To work for an expert to learn a skill or trade.

Knight: Any experienced, competent, but routine worker or performer.

Master: Possessing special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful and skilled they are.