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(Unit 2) How do you integrate technology in math?

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Design Project: Problem-based Learning in Math through Technology

Objectives

  • Understand the basics of technology and why it can and should be used in a math classroom
  • Examine various math supported technology tools and methods that are used in classrooms
  • Generate reasons for technology in mathematics and state ways technology can be used in a math classroom

Introduction

The goal of this unit is to facilitate math teachers to integrate technology in their classrooms. In our society today, there is an overwhelming presence and development of technology in almost every facet of life. There is a transformation in new computers and technologies in our society which makes teaching and learning mathematics vital, especially mathematics through technology. Children in this era are growing up with the use of technology in their daily lives. They are used to using technology, interested in using technology, and want to use technology. As a teacher, the use of technology can be very beneficial. Technology in the classrooms serves as a motivator to engage students and encourage them to become interested in the material. Furthermore, the use of technology in classrooms develops student’s knowledge and level of comfort with skills that will prepare them for their future careers that are often driven by technology. In order for math teacher to integrate technology in their classroom they need to learn how to adapt and expand new approaches, differentiated lessons, and investigations.

Launch Activity

The launch activity for this unit is to introduce instructors to technology. Math teachers should understand why they should incorporate technology in their classrooms.

Explore http://jmalpass.blogspot.com/ which includes videos and slides on how to integrate technology into classrooms

  • Highlight video using various Web 2.0 tools (prezi-zooming presentation tool, wolfram alpha, graphsketch, quizlet-flashcard application, voicethread, toondoo, animoto, google docs)
  • Geogebra-Tool for math teachers
  • Five ways to use Google Forms in classroom
  • Create a quiz at MyStudiyo
  • Get zesty with prezi
  • Technology in a Science Classroom
  • Bookbox
  • LiveBinder
  • Presentation Tools


This will provide a small glimpse of what teachers can do to improve learning in their classrooms through technology.


To enhance their understanding of why to integrate technology:

A study from Melissa T. Souter, "Integrating Technology into the Mathematics Classroom, An Action Research Study" displays how integrating technology can have a positive affect on student understanding and achievement:

The data concerning how technology-enhanced (TE) algebra instruction compares with traditional algebra (TR) instruction in student academic achievement was especially interesting.Overall, students in technology enhanced classrooms reported having higher grades: 

             | Technology-enhanced   |   Traditional  |
 Higher      |        54%            |       26%      |
  Same       |        42%            |       67%      | 
  Lower      |         4%            |        8%      |
Grades “C”   |        98%            |       87%      |
  or better

Table 1: Student reporting of grades after using technology (TE) or not using technology (TR)

Assessing Prior Knowledge

It is important to understand the prior knowledge and skills that students have before creating a lesson that integrates technology in math. Not only do you need to assess students' understanding, knowledge, and prior experience with the curriculum you are teaching, but also their skills with the technology tools you choose to incorporate.

Introduction of New Concepts

Webquests,drawing programs, interactive math tools, internet-based research and applications, digital photography, spreadsheets, word, excel, etc. should be used in a math classroom as they provide concrete ways to explore abstract concepts, promote visual learners, enhance higher-order thinking skills and deepen understanding.

The best way for teachers to learn new concept and develop their technology skills is to research, practice, and use various technology tools.

Instructors are encouraged to visit cites like: http://teachers.redclay.k12.de.us/pamela.waters/math/fetc/index.htm and http://www.slideshare.net/sspengler/integrating-the-internet-into-the-mathematics-classroom to look at examples and various methods, approaches, and tools.

Teacher's Role

In a math classroom that has a technology foundation the role of the teacher is different than a "traditional classroom".

  • The teachers must have skills and intelligence in the technology tool being used incase students have questions or are struggling with the use of technology.
  • Teachers must still understand and be experts in the lesson's material and math curriculum.
  • The teacher is more of facilitator who provides guidance and scaffolding, but do not tell students what to do and how to do it. The goal is for students to learn on their own and be able to learn math through technology through practice and discovery.
  • Teachers must be able to provide examples, rubrics, expectations for student work.
  • Teachers must provide opportunities for students to see and understand the connection of technology-based math activities to the lesson's objectives and curriculum.
  • Teachers need to integrate technology not just because they can, but because it will be beneficial and enhance their lesson. Technology should not be used for skills and drills practice on-line or during a simulation activity, but to develop student learning and discovery.

Activities

In order for teachers to develop their own activities for math lessons through technology they must understand how to link their curriculum to various technology tools. Teachers can not forget about the lesson's objectives.

Here is a link to a cite that provides many resources for math computer tools: http://schoolcomputing.wikia.com/wiki/Technology_in_Mathematics


Instructors can look at the following examples from http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/ms/math.htm of good ideas on how to integrate their curriculum and technology. This website also has links to many webquests and interactive math activities.

Example 1:

Students can use the line, rectangle, and oval tools in 'Paint', a program that comes with Windows, to make circles, squares, and rectangles and utilize the color fill to demonstrate a variety of fractions (or decimals). These images can be saved and inserted in a Word document or a PowerPoint presentation in which students create a math word problem to correlate with the fraction image.


Example 2:

Measure your smile:

Students use metric measurement to determine the length of each student’s smile in the student’s group. Using the Excel spreadsheet students will create graphs using the data following these directions: 1. Open Excel. Click inside Column 1 A and type Names. Press enter and then type each student’s name in the group pressing enter each time. 2. Click inside Column 1 B and type Length. Press enter and then type the length of each student’s smile pressing enter each time. 3. Highlight all the data in column 1 and 2. 4. Click the chart wizard tool in the top toolbar. 5. Select column graph, choose the style of column graph you desire, and select next. Click next again. 6. Click the Title Tab and type in the Title of your graph, Metric Length of Smiles Group 1 7. You do not need to supply anything for Category X axis, but in Category Y type Centimeters. 8. Click the Data Label tab and click the circle for Show Value. 9. Click Next and select the circle for as object in sheet 1. Then click Finish to produce your graph.

Assessment

Like any lesson, a lesson that incorporates technology is just as important to assess. It is essential for instructors to know if their student's learned and understood the objectives for lesson. There can be many measures of assessment for lesson that integrate technology. Instructors can provide a quiz, test, or homework assignment that evaluates their work. Also, discussions, classwork, and groupwork can be observed by the teacher during class time to see the level of understanding among the students. Also, if students are working on a project, webquest, or activity that has a final product or assessment tool in the technology, then students can be assessed that way. There is not correct method of assessment, but assessment does need to occur.

Reflection

In order for teachers to continue to improve and student understanding and engagement to continue to improve, teachers need to follow a reflective practice. You should always be looking for different ways to improve your practice as an instructor and strategies to improve lessons. Especially when integrating technology, it is essential that teachers reflect on their technology skills and stay up-to-date with the latest technology tools and methods.

References

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