ETEC 5303 Learning With Computers in the K - 12 Classroom
Q: Where can I direct extra help for my students online once they leave my classroom?
A: Websites that students can go to for tutorial sessions.
Students can have a refresher of the topic that they just learned about from appropriate links provided by the faculty member.
Allows extra instruction If a student cannot access his/her teacher outside of normal school hours
Reduction in re-teaching a lesson.
Ability to keep pace with a curriculum map/pacing guide.
Fosters independent tutoring.
Q: How can I connect the math that they are learning to real world instances?
A: Websites that display mathematical practices in everyday life.
Students can view how the lesson that they are learning can apply to everyday life.
Both students and teachers can make certain visual connections of the relevance of the topics that they are covering.
Easy transition to real world applications.
Answers when/where am I going to need to know this?
Student connection to reflect on understanding of material
Q: What can I use for students to experiment with formulas?
A: Various programs that allows for students to construct and calculate formulas.
Problem/Strategy
Relative Advantage
Intended Outcome
Links
Problem/Strategy
Relative Advantage
Intended Outcome
Links
Students can perform/calculate algebraic functions.
Students can perform “what if” problems to test their algebraic reasoning.
Students can recognize potential patterns from data display.
As student become more confident in their algebraic reasoning, and rationializing their answers, they can start to develop new technical skills with the dynamics that are embedded within the programs that they are using.
Q: Where can I access extra practice for my students to help master certain skills?
A: Websites that allows students to practice on certain skills independently.
Problem/Strategy
Mathematics and Technology Intergration
Internet for Instruction
Tool Based Software
Instructional Software
Productivity Software
Problem/Strategy
Q: Where can I access learning activities as I prepare my lesson plans?
A: Websites that are both free and have membership fees, that promote teacher collaboration and evaluation of past lessons on various topics.
Relative Advantage
Intended Outcome
Links
Relative Advantage
Intended Outcome
Links
Students can go beyond class work and homework to strengthen their skills.
Teachers can come up with countless amounts of "drill and practice" problems.
When the classroom is not in session the student can continue to practice on various fundamentals.
Allows teachers access to activities that cater to the needs of their students in their classroom.
Allows for teachers to reach out in a professional environment outside of the classroom and home school setting.
Allows for a review of diverse amount of learning activities.
Allows teachers to try something new, or share successful lesson ideas/practices with other educational professionals.
Cuts down lesson planning, and in turn can develop stronger lessons as the foundational plans are set.
Help a fledgling/struggling teacher develop activities for practice in the classroom.
Self-practicing students.
Fosters independent learning.
Allows parents to view mathematical practices/skills at home.
Strengthens certain weaknesses/ enhances strengths.
One would think that mathematics and technology should go hand in hand, however in the past it seemed that many times technology can be a taboo word in that particular classroom. Now with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) one of the benefits is that students are encouraged to use technology in the classroom; for example in Algebra I students are using graphing calculators to develop graphs, plots, and functions. Technology can be a useful ally to the math teacher. By bringing the internet into the instructional level, students can view demonstrations on learning to solve various topics, [for example see this video about solving systems of equations here]. Outside of school, programs like Khan Academy and Big Ideas Math, allow for students to have tutorial sessions when they are away from the actual classroom, bringing a more confident, developed, and well practiced student to the classroom.
Tool software like spreadsheets not only keep data organized but students and teachers can develop various mathematical functions and perform mathematic operations to offer explanations to solutions. In addition they can help students to develop charts/graphs, and display data so that the students can draw comparisons or conclusions. Presentation tools like PowerPoint can allow a teacher to develop their own lessons.
Speaking of lessons, in the planning stages, productivity software like OnCourse, have the capability of having lesson plan sharing so that teachers can collaboratively approach a subject matter together. This can be especially useful if you are in an in-class support setting, on a teaching team, on a pacing guide committee, or in a Professional Learning Committee (PLC).
Finally, with high stakes assessments abound instructional software can be used to supplement learning activities and materials. Programs like Kuta Software can randomly populate questions on a particular topic for the “drill and practice” aspect of learning math. Games such as Math Blaster, (which has evolved since 1983 and rebooted several times over) allowed students to practice the foundations over and over again, (while keeping it fun and engaging) until students had met mastery. One could also use the “what if” function embedded in Microsoft Excel to simulate an equation being solved, or be used to project multiple possible outcomes with the data that is inputted.
Here are a few more examples of implementing technology in a mathematics classroom of today: