Here is the scene you are to use as the basis of your essay. The essay should be between 500 and 600 words.
Dennis Sutton was introducing the concept of "volume" in his Year 7 maths class.
OK Year 7, volume is the measure of the amount of space inside of a solid figure, like a cube or a ball. The units we measure in are cubic units. That means the number of little element cubes that fit inside the figure. Let's start with rectangular figures. Now, the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is area equals length by width by height.
Dennis wrote on the board: Area = length x width x height
Let's say we want to work out the volume of a shoe box. This shoe box is 11 centimetres by 13 centimetres by 26 centimetres. So we multiple 11 by 13 by 26. That equals 3718. This means that it would take 3718 little one centimetre cubes to fill the shoe box.
Dennis wrote on the board: 11 x 13 x 26 = 3718
OK, now it's time for you to work out the volume of some rectangular figures. Work out for me the volume of a single tier wedding cake that has the dimensions of 10 centimetres by 25 centimetres by 30 centimetres. Then work out the volume of a wedding cake that has two tiers. The first tier has the dimensions of 10 centimetres by 28 centimetres by 35 centimetres and the second tier has the dimensions of 10 centimetres by 20 centimetres by 28 centimetres. Off you go.
Dennis wrote on the board: 10cm, 25cm, 30cm Volume (single tier cake) = ?
10cm, 28cm, 35cm and 10cm, 20cm, 28cm Volume (double tier cake) = ?
Dennis walked around the class as the students worked on the two problems. He was disappointed to see that quite of them seemed confused about how to proceed. He stopped by Sally's desk.
Come on Sally. What's the matter? Why can't you do the problems?
Sally: I don't understand Sir. Isn't volume a sound? Like, don't you turn up the volume on the TV when you want to make it louder?
(a) Use the Information Processing Model to explain why Sally is having trouble with the work she has been given.
(b) How might Dennis Sutton have introduced the concept of volume more successfully to the class?