Angry Birds Mathematics: Parabolas and Vectors

Autor/in	Lamb, John H.
Titel	Angry Birds Mathematics: Parabolas and Vectors
Quelle	In: Mathematics Teacher, 107 (2013) 5, S.334-340 (7 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0025-5769
Schlagwörter	Mathematics Instruction; Secondary School Mathematics; Student Motivation; Calculus; Equations (Mathematics); Mathematical Concepts; Teaching Methods; Middle School Students; High School Students; Relevance (Education); Computer Games + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Mathematics lessons; Mathematikunterricht; Schulische Motivation; Analysis; Differenzialrechnung; Infinitesimalrechnung; Integralrechnung; Equations; Mathematics; Gleichungslehre; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; High school; High schools; Oberschule; Studentin; Relevance; Relevanz; Computer game; Computerspiel; Computerspiele
Abstract	John Lamb, a professor of mathematics education and a teacher of high school precalculus, describes how he developed a way to use the elements of the game Angry Birds® as a platform to engage his students with the concepts of parabolas and vectors. The game could be categorized as a type of microworld game in which students interact with the properties, connections, and applications of projectile motion. The vector properties of the slingshot and the frictionless environment in which the bird travels, coupled with the entertaining story line, exceptional graphics, and catchy sound effects, provide a motivational resource for teachers to guide students toward understanding the mathematics behind the game. The class discussion moves toward determining the equation of the trajectory of the bird and the students became more engaged and intrinsically motivated to learn the mathematical concepts emphasized in these lessons using Angry Parabolas, Angry Vectors, and Angry Projectile Motion. Middle school students seemed to clamor to measure angles and distances so that they could get a chance to launch an Angry Bird toward a tower of pigs. Teachers of mathematics have an important role in developing student thinking. The concepts taught throughout mathematical coursework help build critical thinkers who will become more productive employees and leaders in their future careers. Too often, students fail to see a connection between the mathematics that they are learning and its application in the real world. Using Angry Birds® can help students explore mathematical concepts in ways that have direct appeal. A Bibliography is included. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10