There are currently six educational technology standards in Oregon that are aligned with the national NETS*S standards:
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Below, I will discuss a few of these standards and how they can be implemented in a mathematics classroom.
Creativity and Innovation- Before I discuss ways in which students can use technology to show creativity in mathematics, it is important to discuss how mathematics can be a creative process.While it isn’t a standard that is normally thought of in mathematics, there are many ways of encouraging student creativity in math class. These include but are not limited to: students finding their own way to solve a problem, students coming up with their own examples of math problems, and students creating presentations of how they solved a math problem. Therefore we are looking for ways in which technology can aid students in doing these creative activities. For example, students could use the smart board to show how they solved a problem, students could use Prezi or other presentation software to show their knowledge of a concept, or students could use a photo program with a draw or paint program to show geometric shapes are found in everyday life.
Communication and Collaboration- This standard caught my eye because it mentions communicating with experts in the field. Most students know so little about what mathematicians do or even how math is applied in other fields. Through the use of technology (Skype for example) students can connect with experts in the mathematics field or other fields that use mathematics without the headache of scheduling visits to the class. This also expands the base of experts the teacher has to use because the expert no longer needs to be a parent of a student or even a local. Another way students can use technology to communicate and collaborate is through conferences or data sharing activities that are not limited to the class size. Students could collaborate with other classes in their school, or even throughout the world using conferencing software or cloud computing documents and spreadsheets.
Technology Operations and Concepts- While not specific to mathematics, being able to select, use, and troubleshoot tools effectively is a key component of technological literacy. Often, the ability to troubleshoot computers separates the technologically literate from those who are not. Just like learning a language, the best way to become comfortable with technology is through practice. As a teacher this means having technology available, implementing technology appropriately into the curriculum, and allowing students time to experiment with computers and technology.
Possible Challenges
The
first, and perhaps most obvious challenge that I see teachers facing
when implementing technology in the classroom is a lack of funds and
resources to support the latest and greatest that technology has to
offer. Just because there may not be sufficient funds to have computers
or a smartboard in every classroom for every student, does not mean that
we should give up in trying to integrate technology into the
curriculum. Many schools have computer labs that teachers can hold
classes in or portable smartboards that can be borrowed from the school.
Also, as new technology comes out at an exponentially increasing pace,
there is no shortage of secondhand computers or companies willing to
donate. Most of the applications that are run in an educational setting
do not require the latest technology has to offer.
A
second. more difficult challenge is finding time to include computers
when faced with the pressures of standardized testing and shortened
class times. There is no easy answer to this roadblock. Teachers need to
think creatively about how they can integrate technology into
activities that enhance the curriculum, rather than viewing technology
as a separate activity. Teachers examine there lesson plans “Can I use
technology to enhance student knowledge in this lesson?” “Can my
students use technology to further their understanding of the concept?”.
Extremely well thought-out, and appreciated your applications to teaching mathematics.
ReplyDeleteTo consider: technology concepts and operations -> SPREADSHEETS. Equivalent to word processing in writing. Invaluable skill that falls in to this category. One of the most powerful applications is PATTERNS ... (let's talk).