Mathematics & Technology
- 1. Math is no longer just on paper… Technology Takes Over the Classroom By: Emily Keck W200
- 2. Table of Contents 3 Math Instruction Enhanced by Technology Savvy Teacher 4-5 My own opinion of a technologically savvy teacher 6 Math website offers online remediation 7-8 My opinion of why online remediation can be very helpful 9 Publishers integrate digital math with textbook curriculum 10-11 My opinion of digital textbooks 12 Conclusion of math technology in the classroom 13 References
- 3. Math Instruction Enhanced by the Technologically Savvy Teacher In the article, “Math Instruction can be enhanced by the techie teacher”, by Marylin Western, it is stated that technology should be integrated into mathematics in the classroom. Children are constantly playing video games and playing on the computer at home, so why not bring some of that familiarity into the classroom? Students as young as 6 or 7 can enter information into a spreadsheet and do calculations, but only if a teacher allows them to do so (Western). The use of technology in math, such as calculators, and computer programs, allow the students to stay interested, and even entertained, as they learn.
- 4. Technology Savvy Teacher (cont.) Another fun option to bring technology into the math subject area, is using digital cameras. Students can take pictures of different objects systematically, such as one playground ball, two swings, three jump ropes, etc. This allows them to learn their numbers consecutively, at a young age, and have fun while doing it (Western). If a teacher is able to introduce technology at an early age, the student may be more likely to use it, and relate to it better, than they would doing math with pencil and paper. Pencil and paper are used more rarely now because of computers, so integrating computer programs, such as Kid Pix Deluxe, Hyperstudio, and Clarisworks, can be used to present a math lesson (Western). Not a lot of teachers know this, but it just takes a little browsing around to figure out the programs. In the end, the students will enjoy it, and the teacher will too.
- 5. What do I think about techie teachers? After reading the article, “Math instruction can be enhanced by the techie teacher,” by Marilyn Western, I would have to agree. Kids these days are surrounded by technology on a daily basis. They play with handheld video games, and on computer keyboards a lot more often than I ever did as a kid. So it is only natural that some of this technology be brought into the classroom by the teacher. Calculators are sometimes a dangerous route to take, because kids rely on them too often, but there are other options, such as math-based computer games and websites. My neighbors, twin third-graders, just recently told me about the math website that their teacher uses with them. They were so excited that they even ran over at my house at 7:30 in the morning on their day off of school to show me the program; in my opinion, this is proof that technology and math can go hand in hand, and kids will get excited about it.
- 6. Math Site Offers Online Remediation The article, “Math Site Offers Online Remediation Program for At-Risk Students,” by Scott Aronowitz, discusses a the website, hotmath.com, which allows middle and high school students to catch up when they need to. The actual program is known as Catchup Math and allows the students that are struggling to get a better grasp of the concepts that they are learning (Aronowitz). The program is available for Prealgebra, Algebra 1 and 2, and Geometry. The program recognizes the student’s weakness, allowing the student to realize what they really need to work on.
- 7. Online Remediation (cont.) The article explains that Catchup Math is an efficient way of allowing kids to get tutoring sessions, literally, from the computer. Students are able to work at their own pace and track their progress along the way (Aronowitz). Programs, like this one, integrate the technological aspect of tutoring into the student’s home or school, and help them to overcome their obstacles and move on to bigger and better things.
- 8. What is my opinion of online remediation? I think that programs, like Catchup Math, are great for students. Many times, going to a teacher or a tutor for help just isn’t enough. Every student has a different learning style, and sometimes it is difficult for a teacher to teach to every student in the way that they need to understand the material. Online programs that recognize a student’s learning style for them, will help them to understand what they need to do to learn the content most effectively, and give them the confidence that they need in order to prepare themselves for the future.
- 9. Integrating Digital Math with Textbook Curriculum In the article, “Publishers partner to integrate digital math with textbook curriculum,” by Scott Aronowitz, it is discussed that some textbooks are putting a lot of their lessons online, in order for the student to learn outside of the usual textbook based lesson. The teachers and students are able to access the website from any computer, and the students can begin to work on their assignment through the computer, rather than with paper and pencil.
- 10. Integrating Textbook (cont.) The specific website, http://www.kendallhunt.com, allows the teacher to put up to date lesson plans that are taught in class, on the computer, so students can access their material that way (Aronowitz). This website, again, is meant to integrate digital learning into the math environment, in order to give kids something to look forward to while they are completing their lessons.
- 11. Do I believe that integration is smart? After reading this article, I really believe that the integration of textbooks and technology is a very smart idea. Kids are so attached to the computer these days, we might as well add lessons on there, as well. They are more likely to run to the computer after school, rather than grab a sheet of paper and a pencil. It is also very convenient for teachers to integrate their lessons with the computer. Technology is becoming so prevalent in today’s society, we might as well begin to teach from our computers, as well. The only downfall is that if everything is on the computer, there will be less student/teacher interaction. I believe that it is very important for students, especially the younger ones, to have good communication with their teachers. If they are constantly staring at a computer screen, and not involving their teacher when they have questions or concerns, schools may start to lose the personal feeling that they once had.
- 12. Math is no longer just on paper… To sum everything up, math is no longer just completed with paper and pencil. We are a technological society, and as we continue to move forward, more and more of our education will continue to be computer-based. At the elementary level, this can be scary, because we will be losing the person to person interaction if students are constantly staring at a screen. As long as we learn to balance technology with education, I believe everything will go smoothly, and students will learn to the best of their ability, especially while they are working in an area of comfort: technology.
- 13. References Aronowitz, Scott (April 2009). Mathematics sits offers online remediation for at-risk students. T.H.E. Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2007, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/24303. Aronowitz, Scott (April 2009). Publishers partner to integrate digital math with textbook curriculum. T.H.E. Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2009, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/24310. Western, Marilyn (January 2003). Math instruction can be enhanced by the techie teacher. Using Technology in the Elementary Classroom. Retrieved April 27, 2009, from http://www.edzone.net/~mwestern/elemath.html.