Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Math Techonology in the Elementary School Classroom
I want to apologize to everyone that this post and my comments are so late, as I have been having technology issues (ironic huh?) due to the fact that I graduated from CLC a year ago and now had to get all my student id's, email, etc... all changed or reactived so it has been a pain! Anyways, I really enjoyed reading this article. I have found in my experience with Americorps reading Tutoring through my workstudy at CLC and subbing as a paraprofessional in the Brainerd School District that has been really helpful. The students use Math games in the computer lab and I have helped with and watched many of them and the students really learn from them AND they are fun! This makes it fun for them to learn math, rather than just from a boring textbook which I think is awesome! I personally struggle with math and do much better when it is fun and/or I can relate it to real life. I know this helps do both for the students and as a teacher this is really important to myself as well. Brainerd also uses a hands-on math curriculum in which they use tanograms and geoboards and I have found the students pick up these new lessons with these really easily and do really well as it is fun and very hands-on. They also use the new projector screens to go thru the workbooks which helps to see the teacher do some examples. I have found that is very helpful for students and teachers and definately plan on using it in my classroom. I would like to learn more about how to use the smartboards with students, as I have found this helpful for myself in these math problems using it.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Not only is math a large part of the school day, but it is also a huge part of everyday life. I do not think students realize how important it is to have a solid math background just to get through the basic concepts in everyday life like figuring out a percent. I really like the spreadsheet idea in the article because it gives students a different way to look at figures and data. And when the teacher has varied ways of instruction he/she can reach many different learning types. I think she incorporates a great idea for cross curriculum when she combines math and reading with pictures and numbers on the bulletin board. Math facts are important but I feel it is more important to understand the concept and work through it not just arrive at an answer. Using a calculator allows me to mentally think through it and visual do the problem on the calculator. This teacher used a calculator to introduce basic concepts and I am sure students are thrilled to see that a calculator can be used to make learning fun. Using different technology enhances the style and tone of the classroom and also promotes collaboration and cooperation between the students and teacher. Using technology also takes the focus off the teacher and lets him/her be the "guide on the side". I am always interested in the latest technology available and truly believe that it enhances a lesson and deepens the understanding and learning taking place. Many lesson plans now also incorporate something with technology.
connections & feedback
What I liked about the article was not only does the teacher uses technology in a variety of ways but she makes it relevant to the students lives. Taking photos of their playground and having them create and update a spreadsheet of the temperature in their city makes the connection between technology and mathematics interesting, and therefore stronger, for the students.
From the article, I discovered technology in the classroom does not need to be fancy nor time consuming, just applicable and appropriate. Using a digital camera or Excel is something that I, who considers myself a novice, is comfortable and can effectively manage even with thirty youngsters are depending on me! With the use of suitable computer software, reinforcement of basic math skills is easily done and with instant feedback, the students can determine immediately, if they are having trouble, where the error is occurring. This is a positive aspect of technology in the classroom as without the instant feedback, mistakes will continue to be made and bad habits may form. These days, students expect immediate feedback and if teachers can provide this, I believe it will benefit the student. Technology in the classroom is essential as the world the students live in has become dependant on it. We should provide numerous opportunities and a variety of technology tools to our students.
From the article, I discovered technology in the classroom does not need to be fancy nor time consuming, just applicable and appropriate. Using a digital camera or Excel is something that I, who considers myself a novice, is comfortable and can effectively manage even with thirty youngsters are depending on me! With the use of suitable computer software, reinforcement of basic math skills is easily done and with instant feedback, the students can determine immediately, if they are having trouble, where the error is occurring. This is a positive aspect of technology in the classroom as without the instant feedback, mistakes will continue to be made and bad habits may form. These days, students expect immediate feedback and if teachers can provide this, I believe it will benefit the student. Technology in the classroom is essential as the world the students live in has become dependant on it. We should provide numerous opportunities and a variety of technology tools to our students.
Involvement = Memorable
The idea I found interesting from the article is: "Bring your class and a 35mm camera outside and take pictures of your students on the playground equipment, but do it systematically. Start out with one student on a swing, then two on the jungle gym, three on the slide, etc. The last picture will be of your whole class (however many that happens to be). After the pictures are developed, you can either set them up as a number center (match the picture with the number word) in a pocket chart, or assemble pictures plus words on a bulletin board or in a photo album for "reading.""
I believe the more involved the student becomes the more they grasp the information. For me, working with ADHD children, I've seen that they need to do and not watch or listen. In this case you are actually having the children perform but also involving them in the slide show so it becomes more meaningful and personal. Students will remember moments like these. Then when the following year comes a long and they are learning about adding and subtracting they can remember a slide show or being in the photo. The article went further with giving options for older students taking the photos. That is even better making them create the number sentence with the photos! I would have loved this as a child!
I believe the more involved the student becomes the more they grasp the information. For me, working with ADHD children, I've seen that they need to do and not watch or listen. In this case you are actually having the children perform but also involving them in the slide show so it becomes more meaningful and personal. Students will remember moments like these. Then when the following year comes a long and they are learning about adding and subtracting they can remember a slide show or being in the photo. The article went further with giving options for older students taking the photos. That is even better making them create the number sentence with the photos! I would have loved this as a child!
Nothing less than the BEST.
It might be agreed that technology is necessary to help students and prepare them for current society. It only makes sense to teach students how to transition from school to the business and work world. We would like them be successful and competitive, confident at what they undertake, and sure of what they know. As the world continues being modified and updated, students should be allowed the privilege as well. Whether that is computer access with games, programs, and the internet, or using a calculator in math class. I don't believe that replacing math logic and knowledge with quicker methods is necessary, but I do believe that each student should be equipped with how to successfully and efficiently use appropriate technology when needed. I know from personal experience that I'm very glad I know how to use Excel, and operate a financial calculator when I need to. My job doesn't require those exact skills, but it definitely helps. To summarize, I agree with the author, we should utilize the numerous technological resources available to help students achieve even higher understanding of math concepts and excel at life after school.
Real World
After being in a my teaching program for over a full year now I have came to the conclusion that k-12 is intended to create people of positive interdependence and complimentary existence. Essentially creating individuals that can contribute to society in a successful way while getting along with others.
If we do not allow students to use such tools as a calculator we are not simulating a real life situation. Yes at times there will be no-calculator tests or other exercises to stimulate and work out concepts. For the most part though students need to know how to use cutting edge materials in a way that will only allow innovation and productivity to be present.
The use of such technology of a smart board and the many materials made available by the internet enhances opportunities in the classroom. Many years ago students had a chalk board, paper a pencil and a textbook. It is well understood that we all learn differently. To not take advantage of showing vivid visual representations of bugs in science or verbally instructing math processes in a much faster and less cluttered presentation benefits the instructor and their students.
If we do not allow students to use such tools as a calculator we are not simulating a real life situation. Yes at times there will be no-calculator tests or other exercises to stimulate and work out concepts. For the most part though students need to know how to use cutting edge materials in a way that will only allow innovation and productivity to be present.
The use of such technology of a smart board and the many materials made available by the internet enhances opportunities in the classroom. Many years ago students had a chalk board, paper a pencil and a textbook. It is well understood that we all learn differently. To not take advantage of showing vivid visual representations of bugs in science or verbally instructing math processes in a much faster and less cluttered presentation benefits the instructor and their students.
Technology in the Elementary Math Classroom
I love the idea of using technology when teaching math, and I think students do as well. During this past school year, I had the opportunity to work with elementary students each day in the tech lab as a paraprofessional. In this role, I was able to see how positively students responded to utilizing technology in a variety of ways. We worked on a variety of projects, with many of them being math-related. Many times, however, the students did not even think about the fact that they were doing math, they just focused on the fun!
One project involved researching the costs related to owing a puppy, which engaged the kids immediately. They enjoyed browsing the PetSmart website in search of the perfect dog collar, dog bed, and grooming tools. The students needed to keep their “purchases” within a certain budget allowance. Once they located all of the items they needed, they placed their data into Microsoft Excel and learned how the program can quickly calculate totals for them. If they were over their budget, they needed to determine how to adjust their purchases to stay within the budget. Another project required the students to tally up various colors of jellybeans (and eat them, of course), and enter the data into an Excel spreadsheet and create a pie chart that clearly showed the percentages of each color of jellybean.
Often times the students would finish their projects before the entire hour of tech lab was over. In these situations, I was able to direct them to various websites where they could play math games. A favorite was “Math Mayhem” (http://members.learningplanet.com/act/mayhem/free.asp), where students competed against each other in addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. Another popular one was “Bloxorz” (http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-bloxorz/index.html), which gave the students practice in strategic problem solving and exploration with geometric shapes.
As a teacher, I hope to utilize technology in my math lessons as much as possible. My experiences as a paraprofessional have shown me that students respond very well to this. There is an extremely large amount of free online math activities and games that can enhance the math curriculum at any grade level. Utilizing these resources can help students see that math can be very fun!
One project involved researching the costs related to owing a puppy, which engaged the kids immediately. They enjoyed browsing the PetSmart website in search of the perfect dog collar, dog bed, and grooming tools. The students needed to keep their “purchases” within a certain budget allowance. Once they located all of the items they needed, they placed their data into Microsoft Excel and learned how the program can quickly calculate totals for them. If they were over their budget, they needed to determine how to adjust their purchases to stay within the budget. Another project required the students to tally up various colors of jellybeans (and eat them, of course), and enter the data into an Excel spreadsheet and create a pie chart that clearly showed the percentages of each color of jellybean.
Often times the students would finish their projects before the entire hour of tech lab was over. In these situations, I was able to direct them to various websites where they could play math games. A favorite was “Math Mayhem” (http://members.learningplanet.com/act/mayhem/free.asp), where students competed against each other in addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. Another popular one was “Bloxorz” (http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-bloxorz/index.html), which gave the students practice in strategic problem solving and exploration with geometric shapes.
As a teacher, I hope to utilize technology in my math lessons as much as possible. My experiences as a paraprofessional have shown me that students respond very well to this. There is an extremely large amount of free online math activities and games that can enhance the math curriculum at any grade level. Utilizing these resources can help students see that math can be very fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)