Before enrolling in this class, I had no idea there were so many different types of technological applications available for the classroom. As a future math teacher, I could see myself incorporating each of the different types of tools in my classroom- drilling, student-directed and teacher-directed instruction.
Before incorporating these technologies in the classroom, I would want to know more about the mathematical skills of my students and then based on their individual skill levels determine which technology would be the most advantageous for them. If there are students that are in need of basic mathematical skills, the drilling and teacher-led learning approaches would be quite useful. I could also see using both the teacher and student-led approaches for collaborative learning when I divide the classroom into pairs of students. Therefore, students would have a specific task to work on, learn from each other and have fun while using the computer.
I am excited about the opportunities these technologies present to allow students to work on improving basic skills while having the opportunity to have fun with mathematics.
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Thats an excellent point you made about first seeing where your students are in their own knowledge about a topic, I hadn't considered that. Assessing your students level of knowledge first is a great way to determine which method to use so that everyone gets the most from the class. Especially in a math setting like you're in, it would be difficult to ask a student to participate in a student-directed lesson when they don't know the basics to even begin the excercise. Much like the Etoys activity we did, had we just been asked to create a sea setting the lesson would have been lost on us but coupled with the training steps we did in the beginning we gained a lot more from that activity. It would be interesting to hear what kind of lessons you would create to apply it in a math class.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt's comment on your starting with your students -- where they are and what they need. And yes, there is a lot out there. Trying to find the really good stuff, that will fit with your curriculum and teaching style, and that you can master well enough to effectively incorporate it into your classroom will be a challenge.
ReplyDeleteI know we tend to focus on computer software as "technology in the classroom", but also consider things like digital cameras, video and other technologies when thinking about how to support your lessons with new technologies. For example, younger students can be asked to take pictures of different geometric shapes, or videotape skits to dramatize math concepts, or ... When we think of technologies as tools of expression, the classroom opportunities expand.
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