It truly is "Powerful"

I know many people who grow up hating math simply because think they do not understand it—they have given up and because they gave up at such a young age, it is ingrained in their head that math is difficult and that they will never understand it. We know that there is a need to express math in a more concrete manner where students can visualize and connect the steps of problems one at a time. They need help retaining the steps and understanding the concepts to move on. I strive to become a mathematics teacher to change the way mathematics is taught and perceived. 

It has become easier to teach and learn with new technologies like the Smartboard, online programs, and Geometer’s Sketchpad, where students get a clear-cut visual of the processes they must take to accurately work out these math problems. According to the article, "The students have better and sounder knowledge of the concepts of mathematics. The animations are so powerful; bisecting an angle becomes a really visual experience." Math has become more fun and innovative because student’s are able to experiment and explore with these technologies.

Teachers are given power. This power will open the mind of our students and change their “math is hard” mindset to “math is fun.” We must make good use of what is available to us and our students.

Article: "Technology adds to students' math comprehension"

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/03/17/technology-adds-to-students-math-comprehension/

Interactivity #4

The construction of Box-Plots is an important topic in higher level High School mathematics. I chose this lesson because it fulfilled some common core standards for Statistics and made use of online technology. However, I feel that there are some technologies that are more beneficial to teachers and students that could have been implemented into this lesson plan. 

The original curriculum goal is to introduce the topic of graphically representing data through box-plots and using quartiles. Yet, it seemed to focus more on the study of pre-constructed box-plots rather than emphasizing student interaction with them, creating a gap in the curriculum goal itself, teaching strategy implemented, and need for technology. Although there was a project where the students would gather data and eventually construct their own boxplot, student’s ability to recognize one and construct one would be flawed; the students must be able to notice the purpose and effects of different types of data on the box-plot before they are able to construct their own. 

Therefore, they can accomplish this better understanding with the new introduction of interactive technology I provided. The students are able to organize and preserve their data more efficiently through a Google Spreadsheet and input their data in a TI-83 calculator, which is easier to use and more accessible that a computer-generated activity page. To improve the teacher’s method of providing or modeling examples (instead of giving the students online pictures of pre-constructed box-plots) I will use a Smartboard to allow the students to see how manipulating data can skew the box-plot. By interacting with data, students will be able to retain the knowledge and purpose they discovered. 

Lesson Plan:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Alw0ASiqVJO_dDJpNzNLdS12Q2c3cC1vajVXZXEzWnc#gid=0 

Computerized Standardized Tests..Will Make Successful Students?

Testing methods and systems are continuously changing and now we await the major change of computerized standardized testing. The article states, “the tests should be more connected to the kinds of classroom activities teachers find valuable, rather than requiring so much separate test-prep time.” Maybe this will promote a more hands-on education that I believe is well needed in classrooms of today (I also find this statement contradictory to previous “suggested methods of teaching” that emphasized rote memorization and repetition for success in these standardized tests). But having the opportunity to enable students to learn real world applications of mathematics and other subjects is golden and will be a major benefit to the American education system. In these new computerized standardized tests, there is a plan to implement, other than multiple choice questions, student’s skills in media, technology, speaking, and math to real-world problems.  For example, “Students might be asked, for instance, to design a park on a plot of land, using geometry to fit in the playing fields and financial literacy to create a budget.” It is a great concept to gear students up for future and independent and advanced learning.

However, some students just aren’t good test takers as it is. It is different working off of a computer—the constant typing and clicking noise is sure to continuously breaking one’s concentration. It’s just my opinion and there are tons of questions we can bring up along with positive and negative consequences that come to mind. I am sure that not all students in America are able to use a computer and become educated in using it. One needs a lot of experience to manipulate software well. What about bugs and glitches? How can we compensate if the software fails and old computers break down? I really hope the switch to computerized testing works out well because the future of our children is at stake.

Try reading the article here: 

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2010/0902/Race-to-the-Top-promises-new-era-of-standardized-testing

I find it interesting. Even the Praxis II Tests are becoming computerized. I can say from experience, I have taken a few computerized tests and I cannot immediately pinpoint the reason why, but I find myself doing poorly. The environment is difficult to get adjusted to and concentrate. Looking at the computer screen makes my eyes hurt and tired, especially when it is too bright or the color patterns and contrast do not coordinate well. 

Do any of you have similar feelings when taking computerized tests? Or, what are your opinions of the changes? 

Technology Integration, Personal Experiences, and Cats!

Well, maybe just a picture of a cartoon cat, but I just found this website that I think will be very beneficial to us as future teachers. It provides hundreds of types of technology we can integrate in the classroom with details on how they can be used and what grade levels it will benefit most. Everything is here--software reviews, games for our students, projects, tutorials, etc. It is also beneficial to the older generation of teachers who must integrate technology into their classroom but first need to learn how to. It provides a purpose to using the technology and step by step directions on how to use it. You cannot go wrong. I wish I found this site to add to interactivity #3, but I am sure I'll be referring back to it later.

The tab that I found most beneficial is the "New Teachers" tab that provides articles and advice for new teachers, diaries of other first year teachers, and many opportunities to virtually experience a classroom.

Check it out and I hope you will also use it in the future.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/gadget/gadget035.shtml