The video link: A Basketball Parabola
This video provides a plethora of benefits in classroom usage for algebra among other areas such as physics or calculus in motion studies or graph studies. The designer uses the form of Cat Maher shooting a basketball from the free throw line and then uses algebraic methods and point plotting to find the equation of her. This video is an attention grabber as many students play or watch basketball games. In addition, it allows a nice visual way to relate how graphing can be used to predict motion and by extension other values in science or finance. Using handouts or drawing on a board is useful and traditional but takes a bit of time and may seem mundane to students.
The video allows a nice visual of a real-world topic, then quickly overlays plotted points and introduces the concept of the parabola. The general method of identifying points and showing the algebraic method of elimination to solve a two-variable system of equations is part of the scrolling equations. I would show this video, perhaps twice for a large group, and then the second showing have students record the plotted points and go through the computations. Once the equations are found they could repeat the video step of plugging the equations into a graphing calculator and seeing the parabolic curve mimicking Cat’s free throw.
If resources allowed, students could use a digital camera or device to record a couple of volunteers of different heights (Cat is 5’7” so perhaps someone several inches shorter and someone taller) shoot a free throw. Another option would be to record a couple of basketball players shooting a free throw and have students estimate the maximum height of the ball and position (a freeze frame or ratio from a still shot would be able to approximate fairly closely) then repeat the calculations. The three graphs could be overlaid and compared. Ideally a 5’2” and 6’4” to 6’8” player would show interesting similarities in graphs). Another option would be to use footage from a Memphis Tigers or Grizzlies clip shooting free throws.
The video not only ties in graphing and solving equations but also is a nice reminder for students that while educational use allows some leeway in using videos and other materials, proper credit and permission should be obtained before any widespread usage, especially if the content will be present for any non-educational display.
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