When
teachers hear that they have to use technology in their classroom they
sometimes begin to worry if they are unfamiliar with technology, or simply not technology
savvy. I, for one, would be classified as one of those people. However, using
technology in a math classroom does not have to go into such great detail.
There are a variety of computer software programs that can help students learn
math and also help them present their information better with representations
such as graphs and charts. Students nowadays are knowledgeable of the software
that is available to them on the computers. It takes them less time to figure software
out then it would take me, for example.
There are geometry drawing programs available on
computers that can be used to make and verify the relationship between the
number of sides of a polygon and the sum of the interior angles. Students can
also use the program to verify their own arguments or relationships of
different geometric topics. Spreadsheets can also be used to generate patterns
from formulas. Students can use them to verify or disprove their predications.
Students can also use the spreadsheets to learn how to write formulas in
different forms. Word processing and presentation programs, such as PowerPoint,
can be helpful tools that students can use for presentations. They can use the
word processing document to write reports and present their results from their
mathematical investigations. Teachers can also have students imbed
spreadsheets, graphs, and equations in their documents to further explain their
findings. Students can use PowerPoint to make presentations to their peers in
the class.
Overall, using technology in a math classroom does not
have to involve intricate tools, such as a smart board or other advanced tools.
These computer software programs are tools that provide concrete ways for students
to explore abstract concepts, enhance success for visual learners, promote
higher-order thinking skills, and deepens understanding.
I agree with you, not all teachers have the skills to use advanced technology. They often become worried that they will get a poor evaluation because they are not technology savvy. But there are many simple forms of technology that teachers can use as you stated above. I also think that schools should hold workshops for teachers to learn other methods of technology in their subject area, if they are expected to use it in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have suggested is so interesting. I have never thought of anything like that. I agree with you that the "technology" doesn't have to be fancy tools such as SmartBoards. Microsoft Word can be helpful too because every student knows how to use it. Everyone seems to be so caught up by the idea that when we talk about using technology in a classroom, it has to be a SmartBoard, graphing calculators or other more advance tools. Sometimes, go back to the basic is what we need. Start integrating technology in the classroom by using a Powerpoint first, and then gradually bring in more advance tools into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteAntonietta, I like that you described some ideas to incorporate technologically infused lessons by using more simple technological programs such as Word or Powerpoint. I am also not too tech savvy, but I am very familiar with both Word and Powerpoint so it is great that you mentioned how easy it can be to incorporate technology, even without being a tech wiz! I think that this would be very helpful information for any math major, and also show people in every major, that they can use technology in the classroom without using anything too complicated!
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