Technology in Math Class Reflection

Technology in Math Class Reflection:

            It is mind blowing to think how much technology has developed over the past decade and how it can be such a beneficial learning tool in a classroom. It is also crazy to wrap my head around how much we rely on technology! In education classes, we always hear that technology is becoming an important aid in helping students learn (not to mention that students are typically more engaged when using technology). However, we don’t always learn how to implement technology or learn how to use technology in our classes. Therefore, I appreciated the fact that we got to take the time to explore various technology tools that could aid in our instruction of a concept.

Software: Jing and Prezi

            I have used Jing and Prezi software before, but it was great to practice with these again. For this summer session, we had to create a Prezi about CCSSM SMP (Common Core State Standards for Mathematics-Standards for Mathematical Practice), and we had to talk through this information (narrate it) using Jing. My partner and I specifically focused on Model with Mathematics and Look for and Express Regularity in Repeated Reasoning. Just as we used these online tools to teach our peers, I could envision students using these to teach their peers! Students can present a math concept or problem by creating a Prezi (or a PowerPoint) and record their voice to explain it. These are engaging technological tools where students can learn a sufficient amount of information. The one downfall is that I think these two tools would be harder to use in a younger elementary classroom. They may be too complex for these students to figure out (although, maybe clear step-by-step instruction would work).

SmartBoard

            One of my absolute FAVORITE parts about this class was working on the SmartBoard! I want to buy my own SmartBoard and play with it all day (sadly not realistic though…). We sit through so many classes and watch our professors use the SmartBoard, but we rarely get a chance to operate it, which is kind of sad considering we will be using it all the time when we teach! At the beginning of each class, we had to sign in on the SmartBoard using a SmartBoard feature (other than the pen). This allowed us to become more familiar with and explore the SmartBoard tools. For example, we could use shapes, crayon, or a picture to sign in! Additionally, I think it was great that we each presented how to use a tool on the SmartBoard. We were able to learn a variety of SmartBoard tools that could help us with our teaching. Some tools are really simple to implement (i.e. calculator, protractor) whereas others require planning time before class (i.e. creating a math bingo game).  However, all tools are fairly easy to access and easy to work with. For example, I liked learning about the magic pen, the lesson activity toolkit, and the shape corrector. I cannot wait to use all of these amazing SmartBoard resources in my future classroom! Not only are they engaging for students, but they also help students understand the content and provide students a meaningful learning experience.

App and Applets

            The app and applets was another awesome technological tool I learned about. I never realized just how many app and applets there were! Teachers could easily use apps or applets in a classroom to help students learn about, explore, or practice a math concept. I think these would be great to use in a rotation (the teacher could be working with a group of students while other students are practicing the content through an app or applet). I think there is an app/applet for just about all math concepts so they are easy to access. The key is making sure to find an app or applet that is good, easy-to-use, and helps students learn about the concept (there are many pointless app or applets so it’s important to find ones that will truly aid in student learning). For example, I could see using the applet called Kahoot (the one that Lauren presented). It is so practical because teachers can create the questions and answers (they can create as many questions and choices as they want). Teachers can also choose to use a premade Kahoot. In addition, they can choose whether to play with points or not. Also, pictures and videos can be inserted. Students are engaged by thinking about the concept and tapping in their answer. It is also neat that Kahoot tracks the students’ right and wrong results so the teacher can assess their understanding/progress. I hope I get to use various apps/applets in my future classroom because I believe they really can help a student understand a concept and extend a student’s knowledge.

Videos

            Within this summer session, we were required to watch two online videos that showed teachers teaching math in a classroom. One video was about word problem clues and took place in a 2^nd grade classroom. The other video was about number operations (multiplication and division) and took place in a 4^th grade classroom. The videos were broken down into different sections: planning, lesson, debriefing. These videos took a lot of time to watch, and I often found myself replaying a lot of the videos so I could better reflect/analyze the teacher and student work, hear better, and draw proper conclusions. The videos were neat to watch because I learned strategies about both teaching in general and math-specific strategies that I liked and disliked. Overall, I enjoyed watching these videos and reflecting about the instruction.

Blogger

            Additionally, throughout the summer session we frequently used the website, Blogger.com. Each student in the class has their own ETE 339 Blog and each of us would post blogs throughout the semester pertaining to our work. Not only could the instructor look at our blogs to see our reflections, but our peers could also view our blogs. This is helpful so we can learn from each other and see various points of views. I have blogged before in other classes, and I think it is a nice way for students to reflect on work. Thoughts can just flow and countless ideas can be shared. I hope to have my students have their own blogs, which they can post for their parents and friends to see and/or I hope to have a classroom website where I can blog about what’s going on in the classroom.

Calculators

            We didn’t use calculators much in this classroom. During activities, we independently used them for calculations if necessary. However, I have been working with calculators since I was in elementary school! As I got older, my calculators got bigger and more advanced! I have experience working with different types of calculators and can perform various operations. I hope to have basic calculators in my classroom to use during activities when necessary. It is important to mention, though, that I do not want my students to rely on calculators to do the math for them. I want my students to learn HOW to do the math. Therefore, calculators will probably be used minimally but will be used if it is appropriate for a lesson or activity.

Curriculum Project Video

            My group is still in the process of creating our video for the Curriculum plan project. However, we plan to each present a different grade level (Sarah-Kindergarten, Hallie-1^st grade, and Kaitlin-2^nd grade). We will each present information on our grade level by narrating it through Jing (about 5 minutes each) and by using our PowerPoint. We created a PowerPoint focusing on the main points. We will plug a computer in to a T.V. and project the PowerPoint. Then we will talk through our section as the PowerPoint is presented (we are like the weatherman or weatherwoman on the news)! Hopefully all goes as plans, the videos work, and we present valuable information to our peers! I’ve worked with Jing and PowerPoint before so I’m not too nervous!

Final Thoughts

            It has been wonderful to get the opportunity to work with so much technology throughout this summer session! I feel that I learned a lot of useful technological tools that have better prepared me as a teacher. From the apps and applets to the SmartBoard resources to the Jings, I now have a collection of technology tools in my toolbox! I hope to continue to learn and work with more technology in my future classes at Bradley, in my next novice placement, and in my student teaching placement. I think that the technology tools I learned in this class will make my teaching richer, and as I keep learning more it will benefit my instruction and aid in me becoming a more technology advanced teacher!