Workshop #8
The Future of Mathematics: Ferns and Galaxies
I feel that allowing students to use the – state- of- the- art technologies in math class is a great way to engage them. Research shows that students learn more quickly and easily with instruction through a variety of media, or by using multiple modalities.
As far as allowing students to use graphing calculators or any calculator, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommends the integration of the calculator into the school mathematics program at all grade levels in classwork, homework, and evaluation. Calculators free large amounts of time that students currently use to practice computation. This time should be spent helping students to understand mathematics, to develop reasoning and problem- solving strategies. The calculator should be an integral part of the mathematics curriculum and not used solely to check calculations already performed. There are many units and activities available to assist teachers who do not have proper training on the use of the calculator in primary classrooms.
Today, most of the attention which was focused on the use of the calculator in primary classrooms, has switched to the use of computers, Wiis, mobile devices, iPads, iPods, and interactive white boards in the classroom. In a recent survey of secondary students, two –thirds of secondary students want to use laptops, cell phones, or other mobile devices at school. Of course, the schools are concerned with internet safety, bullying and the funds and resources to provide the technology. Therefore, the debate still continues as to the usefulness and necessity of these devices in schools.
As an educator, I have had the opportunity to attend training iPods in the primary classroom. I have also received some training on how to use mobile devices as well as many software programs. And, I have received some training on the interactive white boards. I would like to receive additional training on the use of educational computer games such as the Wii. Wii's Big Brain Academy, for kindergarten studens, can be used to challenge students on logical thinking and math. The game tests students' abilities and speed at solving various problems, involving skills like counting, recognizing patterns, and size comparisons. Also, third grade students can use the sports games as an educational activity to teach mental math and estimation, as well as double digit addition. Of course, teacher training and education in terms of how to use educational games effectively is important.
The advent of new technologies is changing what and how we teach in the mathematics classroom. Many new technologies are available for students today. It is impossible to discuss all of them. Students must be taught when and how to use the technologies appropriately. When used appropriately, this new technology can be used effectively at all grade levels. The technology must be used as an aid to understanding. Computer technology is changing the ways we use math, and therefore the curricula for instruction as well as methods of instruction is changing.
The new technology and mobile devices are expensive. Many districts are struggling to provide adequate school buildings and textbooks. Therefore, funding for iPods, Wiis and other mobile devices is not available. The district in which I work has interactive white boards in the majority of the primary classrooms. Each school provides different technology for their students. Some schools may provide mobile laptop labs , and others have 5 or 6 computers in each elementary classroom as well as access to computer labs. Therefore, calculators and computers are readily accessible in primary classrooms. As long as, students use the technology to better understand math concepts and problem solving concepts they are a worthwhile aid for the primary classroom.
Activities That I Will Use In My Lesson
I will use Pascal's Triangle to teach integer sequences and number patterns to grades 2 and 3. For 4th and 5th grade, I will use Pascal's Triangle for activities using Fibonacci sequences and patterns. Also, I will also use Sierpinski Triangles and Geometric Fractals with grades 4 and 5. And for an educational game, I will use the Chaos Game.
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