Approaching the Task
Why should you write discussion board posts in a math course? Aren’t math and writing separate? Not really! Often, these assignments can challenge students to explain mathematical concepts or apply critical thinking skills in real-life scenarios. Think of the numerical answer as the math portion, and the writing as your ability to explain what the number represents or why it is important. While writing about math has its own character, students should trust that many of the skills developed in other courses will apply. The very act of moving your skills across the subject matter is exercise for the brain.
The best first question you can ask yourself when beginning a writing task is: What am I being asked to do? Here are some examples:
- create your own problem based on the topic
- write your own linear equation word problem
- make your own hypothesis test or confidence interval problem
- analyze a particular topic or mathematician
- discuss your opinions on how to solve a problem
Once you have the task in mind, brainstorming and free writing are great ways to establish a comfort level with the material. Can you recognize the terms but cannot explain them? Can you articulate your idea yet you struggle to get the right numbers or graphs? Answer these questions for yourself, then decide what steps need to be taken to achieve your final product.
Critical Elements of Writing
Prepare
- Brainstorm, free-write, and research
Draft
- Organize ideas, develop words and phrases, add citations, graphics & tables
Revise
- Read the post through for any mistakes and check the calculations for any errors
Word Problems
Think of how frustrating it can be to try and answer an unclear question, or worse, one that contains errors. To avoid this, students should confine themselves to problems that they understand, even though it can be tempting to add more advanced concepts to make their post stand out. Research similar problems to provide yourself with examples of successful applications of the concepts. To ensure accuracy, consider working backwards from the answer to the question. Additionally, building from a simple word problem and adding elements will give students a strong starting point and a few versions of the problem to consider.
Graphics
Using graphics that illustrate your ideas is always an option; displaying quantitative values visually is a highly transferable skill. Whether adding a simple screen shot or presenting intricate data sets, these tools are invaluable for developing persuasive writing.
The process of adding graphics should not be considered an afterthought, so set aside enough time to craft effective visuals. Some discussion board posts require graphics, so check the week’s material for instructions. You might not be sure how to add visual graphics, so don’t hesitate to ask your instructor and classmates in the general questions discussion. A peer might have the same needs!
Some students will even upload photos of hand-written problems which works particularly well for longer, intricate equations. Just remember that any graphic that comes from a published source should be cited appropriately. See the playlist linked above.
Discussion Board Example
Prompt
Define what a liner equation is, then create a real world problem that uses a linear equation.
Initial Post Answer
A linear equation can be defined as any pattern that changes by the same value, usually over a period of time. We use the formula y=mx+b that gives the slope of the line (represented by x) and the y-intercept (represented by b). This problem involves a car lease. My dealership allows me 12,000 miles per year free of charge and then charges 20 cents for every mile over that limit. If I budget 500 dollars for my mileage fee, what linear equation could help?
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