Utilizing student response systems in a high school mathematics class

This file was last viewed in Adobe Reader 10.0.1An important aspect of teaching is to engage students in the learning process. Evidence has shown that the use of technology to increase engagement and participation of students in the classroom is important. The use of technology in a high school mathematics classroom to engage students was investigated in this study. The purpose was to determine if the use of student response systems or clickers in the classroom engaged more students than a classroom not using the technology. The second part of this study was to investigate whether the use of this technology increased student test scores. This study took place in a high school mathematics class during the 2010-2011 school year, in South Central Wisconsin. The study involved data gathered from classroom observations, student surveys, student interviews, quiz and test results, and the teacher's journal. The student surveys and interviews were overwhelmingly positive in using clickers to increase engagement during the class period. The students agreed that using clickers made the math lectures more interesting. The teacher's journal and classroom observations provided insight into the use of the clickers to promote discussion, instant feedback, and effectively implementing clickers in the lecture. The quiz and test results were inconclusive. There were too many factors to consider when looking at the comparison results, such as the students? overall math skills. This study is important to teachers and administration who are investigating ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. The benefit that the clicker technology offers in student engagement and participation should be considered as a supplement to the classroom

The Catalytic Conversion of Saccharides to 5-Hydroxymethyl-2- Furaldehyde (HMF) – A Petroleum Source: A Comprehensive Study into Understanding the Binding of Model Saccharides with Lanthanum and Yttrium Complexes

There is a burgeoning interest to find new sources of petroleum, as this can alleviate oil prices and fossil fuel shortage concerns. Innovation can be focused on possibly converting wood to fuels, or chemical and industrial products. Saccharides have acquired significance industrially as a promising, suitable, and versatile carbon source for substituting petroleum; particularly, the catalytic conversion of saccharides to 5- hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF). Lanthanide (III) ions, (strong Lewis acids), are active catalysts for converting saccharides to HMF: Saccharides Ln3+ Catalyst -3H2O HOH2C O CHOHMF Proficient lanthanide-catalysts that convert saccharides to HMF have potential impacts on energy and the environment. Consequently, the primary goal of this project is to understand the binding of model monosaccharide molecules, principally 2-deoxy D ribose and D-glyceraldehyde, to yttrium, europium, and lanthanum ions. By understanding saccharide-metal ion coordination, more important details can be elucidated, providing insights into the lanthanide-based catalysis of saccharides. Air and water stable yttrium, europium and lanthanide compounds were synthesized and reacted with saccharides to form new metal–saccharide complexes. Only a small number of lanthanide- saccharide complexes have previously been isolated. However, the complexes isolated in this experiment are new; these are Ln(hfac)3(saccharide) and Ln(acac) 3(saccharide). The starting materials 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone (Hhfac) and acetylacetone (Hacac) were used because they allow limited space for coordination of the saccharides to the metal ion. Preliminary results are shared, but further characterization of the new complexes will be performed using percent metal complexometric titration, elemental analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. O CH HCH H C OH H C OH CH2OH CHO H C OH CH2OH D-glyceraldehyde Model Saccharides 2-deoxy-D-ribos

Study Collection, Westheimer Research Gallery

Hat of open-work crocheted olive green straw. The high, somewhat conical crown is encircled at base by a band of green velvet ribbon. Sloping brim of same openwork crochet. Scattered over crown and trailing onto brim in places are applied artificial sprays of small white flowers with green leaves. Unlined. Inner green grosgrain ribbon hatband. Designer's label: Ursula Hammi

.NET Gadgeteer: A Platform for Custom Devices

Abstract..NET Gadgeteer is a new platform conceived to make it easier to design and build custom electronic devices and systems for a range of ubiquitous and mobile computing scenarios. It consists of three main elements: solder-less modular electronic hardware; object-oriented managed software libraries accessed using a high-level programming language and established development environment; and 3D design and construction tools designed to facilitate a great deal of control over the form factor of the resulting electronic devices. Each of these elements is designed to be accessible to a wide range of people with varying backgrounds and levels of experience and at the same time provide enough flexibility to allow experts to build relatively sophisticated devices and complex systems in less time than they are used to. In this paper we describe the.NET Gadgeteer system in detail for the first time, explaining a number of key design decisions and reporting on its use by new users and experts alike.