ERIC Number: EJ1287247
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2572-6412
EISSN: N/A
Using Cartoons to Make Connections and Enrich Mathematics
St. Clair, Janet
Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference, v2 Article 12 p86-111 2018
The article discusses the integration of cartoons into a finite mathematics college course. However, cartoon integration is appropriate for any educational level STEM course. Students and the author used an online comic strip creator, MakeBeliefsComix.com, to create cartoons that connected concepts to the real world and history. Following Cho, Osborne, and Sanders (2015), students wrote a paragraph about their cartoon and its mathematics. In addition to connecting mathematics to art and writing and unearthing students' creative side, cartoons helped show the humanistic side of mathematics and promote communication and excitement about mathematics. The author developed a rubric to evaluate students' cartoons. There was evidence that students who did cartoons were better able to explain a concept and give examples of its real-world connection than those who did not. The article has potential to encourage others to brainstorm about cartoon integration in their mathematics courses.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Interdisciplinary Approach, Cartoons, Teaching Methods, College Mathematics, College Students, Student Motivation, Student Interests, Relevance (Education), Creative Activities, Problem Solving, Mathematics Anxiety, Mathematical Concepts, Concept Formation
Proceedings of the Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Learning Conference. Tel: 912-478-4056; e-mail: digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/stem_proceedings/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A