There were four flights of steps; with 14+16+16+16 steps.
Total no. of steps= 62
Height of one step= 14.8cm
The height of the staircase is about 62 x 14.8 = 917.6cm.
After converting to metre, the height is about 9 metres tall.
But may not be precise if I were to bring the measurement at the SI Unit office in France. So hence the use of "about" in the answer.
Assuming I did not have a ruler that day, how else can I measure the steps? Will it be possible to use my not-so-big feet? Perhaps my modest pair of Crocs helps. Use one side of the shoes and place against the side of step; mark where the height stops and then go back and use a ruler to measure that mark; multiply by the number of steps.
Part of tonight's lesson highlighted on the misconception of mass and weight- the difference of actual scientific terms and daily language use.
(Refer to discussion in textbook, Chapter 19, p.382).
To say, "my weight is 60kg" is not correct in science. That is known to be daily language. It should be "my mass is 60kg". Technically, our mass is the same but our weight change.
So other than the good news that I can be 100-neutons on the moon (i'm about 600-neutons on Earth), we delved into the question on whether to use or avoid introducing the concept of weight/mass in pre-school totally because students in P1 will be learning Mass. They will then have to change to the correct idea.
Dr Yeap pointed out that in pre-school, we can teach weight in statement like this:
"The book is as heavy as 3 cans of Lemon Tea.", "the bear weighs as much as 5 cubes".
Aside from Mass, the rest we can teach using non-standard units as usual.
Same goes for the concept of time.
The other night I asked Rushda, now in P1, what time it was. The clock in the car showed 22:20. She replied that it was "10:20". I asked how did she know it was "10"? She could not explain but I hope she will develop the understanding as she continues to learn concept of time till P4.
Dr Yeap concluded the night with a refresher course on the different types of graphs and the use of the diff types with the correct categories.
Reflection:
Many of us struggled in Mathematic due to the conventional methods we were taught. How lessons were presented were key for us students to grasp concepts. Although Math was painful to learn in school, I never hated it. I never hated the teachers/tutors who were screaming their heads off when I needed their extra coaching. Because now that I am an educator, I want to be sure that my young students get the best, positive and memorable Mathematic experience to gear them for more competent Mathematics.
EDU330 module is an eye-opening learning experience.
The math presented by Dr Yeap Ban Har was first magical, then it was mind-boggling. It just sets you thinking and thinking.
Thank you for the opportunity. Nevermind that I got a peg, that does not mean that I am giving up. This is a new beginning.
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