Learning and Leading - November 2009

The Create Activity Types

Four of the 31 mathematics activity types involve students in higher-level mathematical learning, where they engage in creative and imaginative thinking. For example:

Activity Type Brief Description

create a product
student imaginatively engages in the development
of a project, invention, or artifact

create a process
student creates a mathematical process that others
might use, test, or replicate

Example Technologies Word processor, animations, mathcad, geometer’s sketchpad

programming, robotics, mathematica, imovie

learning activity types and the ways in which educational technologies can support each will change over time. We invite you to help us expand, refine, and further develop this evolving resource for teachers. To help shape the taxonomy of activity types in mathematics, please visit the Activity Types Wiki at http://activitytypes.wmwikis.net/ Mathematics and share your ideas via the online survey.

Judi Harris is a professor and the Pavey Family Chair in educational technology at the College of William & Mary. Her teaching and research focus on K– 12 curricu- lum-based technology integration, telementoring, and teacher professional development.

Neal Grandgenett is the Peter Kiewit Professor of math- ematics education in the Teacher Education Department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His instructional and research interests focus on the innovative use of tech- nology in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Mark Hofer is an associate professor of educational tech- nology at the College of William & Mary. He partners with classroom teachers in exploring the use of technolo- gies to support curriculum-based teaching and learning.