Pre-Calculus 11 Core Competency Self-Assessment

Core Competency Reflection

Working collaboratively with others:

After almost completing this course, I feel that I have grown tremendously in my ability to collaborate and work with others. At the start of this class, I felt extremely incapable of working with classmates which I don’t know. I was timid and didn’t feel as though I could voice my thoughts and opinions. However, after getting more comfortable with a few of my peers, I persevered and pushed myself out of my comfort zone. It took a couple of months for me to fully feel confident expressing my points of view, but I found that when I did, it improved my understanding of the math unit tremendously. For example, when we had to work with random groups at the beginning of the course, I wouldn’t be fully focused on the questions we were answering because I was so worried about getting my question correct. Because of this, it lead me to miss certain steps in the unit, affecting my understanding negatively. Although when we were allowed to choose our groups I felt that I was more involved in the solving process. This is because we were all working collectively and trying to understand the assigned questions, rather than just focusing on answering one or two specific ones. I think that moving forward if I were to have to work with individuals whom I don’t know, I would encourage myself to step outside of my safe place and be a part of the group.

Treating myself and others with respect/Dealing with my challenges:

I feel that I can grow excessively in treating myself with respect, as well as dealing with my challenges, especially when it comes to grades. I notice a reoccurring theme within myself to always be perfect. However, this uncontrollable habit does not help my learning. At times it can lead me to push myself and achieve certain goals, although most of the time it causes me to be discouraged, thus landing me in a deeper pit. For example, I could be studying for a test and getting almost every question right, but then stumble across a section that I struggle with. I fail to complete this question so then I use the answer key to help me find the answer. I then assume I understand how to solve this equation because I relied too heavily on these resources and don’t want to face the fact that I might not do perfect on this test. I complete said test and realize that maybe I didn’t know what I was doing and I actually need help. However, instead of asking for help, I’ll blame the fact that I didn’t do well on something else, continuing to let my discouragement get the best of me. This was an ongoing cycle for me throughout this whole course which I am finally beginning to understand and take action on. From now on I am trying my best to understand that as long as I put in the work and try my hardest, all I can do is my best. I am also pushing myself to ask more questions and rely on my answer keys less to ensure my understanding.

Advice for Future Students…

My advice for future students is to do your best to complete the questions on your own. If you find yourself always flipping to the answers before you have actually completed the question, understand that that will not set you up for success. Another piece of advice I have is don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is what the teacher is there for, and it is okay if you don’t understand the lesson. Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself. Math isn’t for everyone and it is okay if you don’t do as well in the class as you think you will as long as you try your best.

My Parabola

Parent Function:

My Parabola Equation:

Parent Parabola:

My Parabola:

Analysis…

In my parabola, the ‘-4’ is the x in the vertex, and the ‘+2’ is the y; this means that the vertex is (4,2) instead of (0,0) like the parent function. The ‘-4’ makes the x shift 4 places to the right (the negative and positive signs are always opposite in the equation). As for the ‘+2’, that means that the y point will shift up 2 from zero. The ‘2’ value means that the parabola will be directed upwards, similarly to how the parent parabola has a ‘1’ value, meaning it also goes upwards.

Self-Assessment…

  1. I represented the same mathematical ideas in separate ways by comparing two different parabola equations, as well as the parabolas themselves. Doing this showed my understanding of the mathematical concept and demonstrated it with two differing examples.
  2. An example of me using mathematical vocabulary in this assignment was when I explained the vertex, as well as the values in the two equations.
  3. I illustrated neat and organized formatting by labeling each photo as well as writing aspect. Another area that I did this in was by cropping and zooming into the photos pasted, so that they could appear uncluttered.

Facing A Challenge

My Artifact: A Chapter One question I struggled with…

The first time I tried this question I found it challenging because of the pie symbol, specifically pie r squared. I was easily able to fill in the volume and height, but struggled with figuring out my next step. These kinds of questions have always been difficult for me as I have never been properly taught how to do them. The mistake I made when completing it the first time was attempting to divide one third, rather than multiplying both sides by three. I know that doing it this way isn’t even close to being correct, and if it were a simpler algebra question I would have done it right. I think that I was beginning to get confused, as well as overthink and give up because of the pie symbol. The first strategy I used to figure out this problem was by looking at the answer key. I still didn’t completely understand why or how certain moves were made, so I checked on Photomath. After reading through each step, I finally began to understand how to solve that question. To check my knowledge, I proceeded onto the next assigned problem, which was slightly harder, and completed it correctly with no assistance. To solve this question I had to use basic algebra skills, multiplying, dividing, as well as square rooting. Next time I encounter a difficult problem I will push myself to try to complete it, instead of immediately giving up and checking the answer key. I feel that doing that will allow me to learn more efficiently, as well as faster, helping me to improve my overall understanding and grade in this course.