278_links_2016

Useful Links

I will add more links to this page as the semester progresses. If you find a site that you think should be included, let me know and (if I agree!) I will put it up.


  • The exercises from Section 5.2 ask you to use technology to simulate probability experiments. Here are some web pages that will allow you to carry out the simulations if you don’t have a sufficiently powerful calculator. (If you find, or know of, better online resources, please let me know.)
    • A spinner simulation that allows you to change the number of sectors, as well as their size. (You choose the size of a sector according to the theoretical probability that you want, so you will have to work out the correct theoretical probabilities for the angles given in Exercise 5.2.1.)
    • A random number generator. To carry out the simulation for Exercise 5.2.2, ask for 150 numbers with values between 1 and 4 (the number of columns does not matter), then click the “Get Numbers” button. You will have to work out the average of the 150 numbers by hand, unfortunately.

  • Here is an interview with Monty Hall about the actual game show “Let’s Make a Deal”, and the “Monty Hall Problem”.


  • In June 2010, Wisconsin adopted the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts. These standards are therefore a description of what students in Wisconsin are expected to know and be able to do by the time they graduate from high school. You will need to become familiar with these standards early in your teaching career, and so we will refer to them frequently throughout this course. (Note, however, that you are NOT expected to be an expert in the standards by the end of this semester!)
  • You can download a PDF version of the standards at the Common Core website, but there is also a very useful hyperlinked version available at the Common Core Tools website.
  • The State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has developed a nice graphic to remind teachers (and others) of the importance of the Standards for Mathematical Practice.  You may also find this overview of the CCSSM content domains useful in understanding the structure of the standards.
  • The Wisconsin Mathematics Council is our state branch of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. You should consider attending the WMC annual conference at Green Lake in May; see the WMC website for conference and registration information.


Kevin McLeod
09/02/2017