Workshop 3 ( Function)

FUNCTION

-Function generally describes the relationship between two set of numbers in which it is associated with one quantity, which is referred as the input with another quantity which is known as output.
- In teaching and learning function, one of the important notions that shouldn't be taken for granted is the integration of function machine. In producing a function machine, Wiloushby (1997) gives out an example on a function machine which is made up of a large box. The game started as a student comes in the box, in which an object is passed through him via input hole and he needs to push something via the output hole. The input could be a cocoa powder and the output is a bar of chocolate.
-Firstly, in integrating function machine, students should be encouraged to recognize how things change in relation to each other. Teacher should address the difference between qualitative and quantitative change. Qualitative change is quantity change, meanwhile qualitative change is the attribute change.


- The picture above shows an example of a function machine which can be used in the class. In getting the student understanding of the function machine concept, students should be encouraged to recognize the change in relation to each other. Get the students to describe the input and output by talking to the pairs regarding the differences of the input and the output, namely in terms of quantity or attribute change. Then, the students are asked to discuss about the rules that show how the input and output are related. In this example, the input/output change is quantitative change as the quantity changes, 1 at the input, and 2 and the output. The pattern shown in the function machine enable the students to draw a rule which best describes how the caterpillars change in quantity. Using the rule which best describe the relation between input and output, they need to fill the third column of the output. By leaving the third column of the output blank, this eventually helps in developing and enhancing multiplication skills of the students as to get the answer, they need to use their multiplication knowledge.

*useful tips : Function machine worksheet here give the students a choice of determining the rule, giving an input and the students need to determine the output. This serves as an exercise which enhance the student's skill of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.