Hello World...

It only seems appropriate to start this blog with the phrase "hello world..." Traditionally, this is the first thing a programmer learns to do when they are learning a new language. So I will make it the title of my first post. This title acknowledges a paradigm shift from traditional (static) textbook to an open source collaborative (dynamic) textbook... so... hello world... Hello World.... HELLO WORLD... this is the open source movement, its coming to educators and it's here to stay!

Last summer (2009), I developed a collection of math "investigations" that are organized around standard set fourth by the State of Michigan (High School Content Expectations... or... HSCE's). Although there is a complete list of expectations for grades 9-12, this first online textbook will focus on solely on Algebra I content. With an emphasis on a "functions approach" to algebra, the basic philosophy of the text will be to develop a course that is rigorous, relevant and relationship oriented. For a complete list of these standards you can visit the Michigan Department of Education at http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-38924_41644_42668---,00.html or you can find it a www.michiganmath.org when the website is up and running.

These investigations are a culmination of my experiences over 15 years of math teaching experience... But the point this experiment is not to create a static non-reactive text, but to incorporate others experiences and knowledge to add to the collective work and greater good. Consider these initial investigations as the "base" of a soup.... but the soup wont be truly delicious until we add all of the bit of carats, celery, and spices that make a "miraculous" soup.

But no amount of "grand analogy" or "resume boasting" will change the fact that as of yet... these investigations are untested. When www.michiganmath.org is finally constructed the textbook will be online, but many investigations will have the marker "DRAFT" next to it until each as at least been field tested once. Sometimes an idea that sounds great in July looks ridiculous in November! I will try to keep readers up to date on changes in content and delivery, basic pedagogy/philosophy of project and updates on implementation pros and cons...

This textbook (as a draft or not) will be available, free of charge, to anyone who would like to use it or alter it to fit their needs in the classroom, school, district, county or state. All the material is presented in a word document and easily altered and printed to meet your specific needs.

So off we go... hold on to your hats:)