This is my Desmos graphing project from Pre Calculus 12. We were asked to choose an image and recreate it on Desmos.com, using graphs and function notation.
This is the original photo I used:
This is my final project:
Reflection:
- I figured out which equations to use by starting out with more basic ones, such as parabolas, trig functions, and linear functions. Then as I got more comfortable with the process I incorporated other functions like exponential, radical, and circle relations.
- I had a few challenges at first, the main one being using proper function notation. After realizing how to do this, I had to change some of the functions I had written incorrectly. Thankfully I had not done that many, so it was fairly easy to fix.
- One “aha moment” I had was when I figured out how to create custom colours using an ‘rgb’ code. I found this fun and interesting as I did not realize it was possible with Desmos. I was able to create the exact colours I needed to create my project and be creative with the tone and shade of each one.
- I got help from my teacher when needed, as well as from examples I found online for specific types of functions or relations. For example, I wasn’t sure what the equation would look like for an ellipse, so I went to Desmos.com and it showed me an example. This helped me in creating my own functions and then transforming them to fit with the lines for my project.
- The main strategy I used to complete this project was proper time management. I made a goal to work on this project over time instead of at the last minute. I added a little bit to the image each day. I often procrastinate with homework, so I wanted to make sure I was focused on this as I know it is a time consuming project. Managing my time and doing small amounts over a few weeks helped me finish it on time, and prevented me from being stressed right before the due date.
- This assignment helped me understand the transformation of functions and relations by allowing me to see the visual graph of every function I created. It also gave me a new perspective as to what you can do with math. I think it is interesting how you can create a visual art piece using only numbers and graphs. Overall, I enjoyed working on this project and I learned a lot!
Self-Assesment:
This is an art project Gianna and I created based on The Crucible by Arthur Miller:
Guiding Question: How is manipulation within governments today similar to authority influence in the past?
Manipulation is present in both The Crucible as a major theme, and today within our society. Although power, authority, reputation, and religion are all important themes that guide the story and our current world, we have chosen manipulation to be showcased in our art. We also included other meaningful references within our artwork, such as the coffee-stained paper, colour scheme, and torn background.
In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, manipulation plays a major part in the accusation of witches. Abigail influences others, including people of power, to make them think someone else is a witch when she is really the one to blame. This is shown in our art piece as people hanging from Abigail’s arms, as if she is controlling over them. The background also has a significant meaning, as it is pages from the novel torn and dyed to look like they were from the novel’s time period. This ties together with the other side, which has newspapers in the background talking about dictatorship in the world today. The highlighted words are important as they relate to our overall theme. A dictatorship is when the leader of a nation has complete control, and there is no freedom of speech or opinion within that society. Anyone speaking out against laws in this kind of country is punished, sometimes severely. Governments in Russia, North Korea, and some areas of Africa are a few examples of how minorities can be manipulated to believe a certain thing, leading to corruption, war, and violence. Examples of leaders who have done this are Kim Jong Un, his father Kim Jong-il, Vladimir Putin, Trump, and many others throughout history. Sometimes this thirst for control is simply based on the goal of gaining power though money. The control of news, propaganda and information can be a way to take over people’s minds and only input the information one wants them to read. This is seen in our art as people climbing up towards powerful leaders, as if they need them to survive. They are like zombies, who are manipulated and “brain-dead” to individualism. However, they are being deprived of freedom, individualism and rights. This is also common in a dictatorship when mass hysteria breaks out, and the dictator makes it seem as if they are the solution to the problem, when they actually caused it. This is exactly what occurred in The Crucible when Abigail says she sees “a bird” (114) to prove her innocence, convincing everyone of something that does not exist.
What can we do to combat this problem? Changing some aspects of social media may help to remove bias on current events or government. Creating a website that is purely educational with no bias could be a solution for people to get updated, accurate information on an event or person. Raising awareness in the education system could also have a positive impact on teenagers, so they can grow up to make their own decisions rather than being influenced by the media. Staying properly informed as a provincial or national voter makes a major difference because each individual can vote for their personal choice of leader, not who they have been influenced to vote for by the media or other people. According to Insead Knowledge, “abdicating personal responsibility cripples’ freedom of expression and derails democratic processes” so to combat dictatorship we can also strive for a more equal democracy. This is possible through peaceful protests and large groups coming together to create change.
In summary, manipulation is a major issue occurring in The Crucible, and currently today. Dictators can greatly influence people, depriving them of freedom of speech and making it seem like they must follow a certain leader or law. Our art piece depicts the feeling of manipulation in a way that both separates and combines the past and present. However, we can make a change today so that this no longer is a problem in the future. Through peaceful protests, proper elections, and equal democracy, society can become a place where rules are important, but do not take over freedom of speech.
Sources:
Chandra, Ravi. “How Political Leaders Strategically Manipulate US.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 12 Mar. 2020, http://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-pacific-heart/202003/how-political-leaders-strategically-manipulate-us.
“Dictatorship Countries 2022.” World Population Review, worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/dictatorship-countries.
Kets de Vries, Manfred. “Fighting against Dictatorship.” INSEAD Knowledge, 18 Jan. 2018, knowledge.insead.edu/blog/insead-blog/fighting-against-dictatorship-8161.
Niiler, Eric. “How Dictators Keep Control.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 21 Dec. 2011, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45751914.
Here is the video Gianna and I created explaining Allusions, Apostrophes, and Clichés:
Allusions, apostrophes, and clichés are all literary terms commonly used in both everyday conversations and in poetry to bring a deeper meaning. Allusions in poetry are short references to something that is known to the reader or listener; an event, person, place etc. Allusions are a subtle hint at something meaningful and can bring a certain value or emotion to the writing. For example, “I’m listening to the king” alludes to the singer Elvis Presley. Apostrophes in poetry are not punctuation, but rather something that directs the attention of the reader to something else. They reference a dead or absent person, as if they were present. Apostrophes are like writing to an object, idea, or person that will not ever be able to receive it. An example would be the poem “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, where the star is being spoken to, even though it is an inanimate object. Finally, clichés are expressions or phrases that are overused and have therefore lost meaning over time. They lack creativity and can be annoying to the reader. For example, “it is what’s on the inside that counts”. This saying is a cliché because of its overuse in literature and conversation.
This is the podcast Gianna and I created regarding racism and dehumanization in society:
English 11 Podcast – Gianna and Annabelle – YouTube
Here is our script with sources listed at the bottom:
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