Course Syllabus
Mathematics of Baseball

Description

In this course, students will learn about the mathematics found in baseball using Google Sheets as well as other tools and software. Topics will include a study in statistics, analyzing measures of central tendency as well as two-way frequencies tables. Students will work as a scout, analyzing rates and speeds as found in the sport and as general managers, analyzing trends and making math-based decisions. Students will also work as team managers, looking at probabilities of independent events and trends in data. Finally, students will research the history of baseball, and complete a culminating final project. Prerequisites:  Algebra 1

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

• CO1: Calculate measures of central tendency, variance, and standard deviation, and assess the impact of outliers on data sets
• CO2: Interpret data displays, including box-and-whisker plots, pie charts, histograms, scatter plots, and two-way frequency tables
• CO3: Calculate and compare baseball statistics such as ERA and WHIP, and use sabermetrics to make informed evaluations of player performance
• CO4: Apply mathematical models to real-world situations by writing and solving linear and quadratic equations, including those modeling distance, height, and time
• CO5: Solve triangle problems using strategies such as the Pythagorean Theorem and Law of Cosines
• CO6: Calculate distance, rate, time, and average rate of change
• CO7: Predict outcomes by calculating basic, independent, and dependent probabilities and expected value, and by using linear regression and exponential models
• CO8: Create Google Sheets with correct formatting, basic formulas, and functions to organize and display data, including scatter plots and trendlines
• CO9: Write short research papers that calculates and interprets baseball statistics, using data displays and models to make and defend predictions
• CO10: Compare correlation and causation, and defend arguments using real data and statistical reasoning
• CO11: Design and produce research projects on the history of baseball, including timelines, major players, and historical developments
• CO12: Evaluate current and historical baseball statistics to interpret trends and relate them to modern standards
• CO13: Construct scale drawings and solve problems using proportions and ratios related to sports and real-world applications
• CO14: Develop arguments and support opinions on statistical methods in baseball, including but not limited to the role of sabermetrics
• CO15: Create visual and statistical models to predict player performance and outcomes in baseball contexts
• CO16: Organize and sequence data for analysis, using appropriate displays and formats to illustrate key mathematical relationships and conclusions

Course Outline:

Module 1: Statistics in Baseball

Module 2: Analyzing Statistics in Baseball

Module 3: Representing Data Graphically

Module 4: Rates and Distance in Baseball

Module 5: Ratios in Baseball

Module 6: Modeling in Baseball

Module 7: Probability in Baseball

Module 8: The History of Baseball

Module 9: End of Game Project

Resources Included: Online lesson instruction and activities, opportunities to engage with a certified, online instructor and classmates, when appropriate, and online assessments to measure student performance of course objectives and readiness for subsequent academic pursuits.

Additional Costs: None

Scoring System: Michigan Virtual does not assign letter grades, grant credit for courses, nor issue diplomas. A final score out of total points earned will be submitted to your school mentor for conversion to their own letter grading system.

Time Commitment: Semester sessions are 18-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1 or more hours per day in the course to be successful. Summer sessions are 10 weeks long: Students must be able to spend a minimum of 2 or more hours per day, or about 90 hours during the summer, for the student to be successful in any course. Trimester sessions are 12-weeks long: Students must be able to spend 1.5 or more hours per day in the course to be successful.

Technology Requirements: Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Students will also need access to Google Sheets.

Ensure that your school or district network and device administrator establishes network access permissions or exceptions for online resources relevant to the course in which you are choosing to enroll. Ref., Michigan Virtual Course Allow List

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements.

Instructor Support System: For technical issues within your course, contact the Customer Care Center by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 889-2840.

Instructor Contact Expectations: Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.

Academic Support Available: In addition to access to a highly qualified, Michigan certified teacher, students have access to academic videos and outside resources verified by Michigan Virtual. For technical issues within the course, students can contact the Michigan Virtual Customer Care by email at [email protected] or by phone at (888) 889-2840.

Required Assessment: Online assessments consist of formative and summative assessments represented by computer-graded multiple choice, instructor-graded writing assignments including hands-on projects, model building, discussion-based assessments (one-on-one conversations with your teacher), and other forms of authentic assessments.

Technical Skills Needed: Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to:

• Download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• Download and install software
• Use a messaging service similar to email
• Communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• Open attachments shared in messages
• Create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• Edit file share settings in cloud-based applications, such as Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
• Save a file as a .pdf
• Copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• Insert images or links into a file or html editor
• Search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• Work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• Activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• Use presentation and graphics programs
• Follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• Use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• Create and maintain usernames and passwords

Additional Information: None