Use of technologies in secondary math classes


Today’s students have spent their entire lives with new technology.  As a result, they think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors, including their teachers (Prensky, 2001).  Educators are asked to be aware of, sensitive to, and accommodate for our students’ needs in regards to learning with technology.  Debevec et al. (2006) studied the effects of computer-augmented instruction on student performance and attitudes.  The study showed that while some students perform better on exams when using traditional learning methods, others perform better on exams when using technology.  The results suggest that there may be “more than one path to superior performance” (Debevec, Shih, & Kashyap, 2006, p. 304).  Other researchers agree that using technology properly would enhance student performance in the classroom setting (Funkhouser, 2002; Hirschhorn & Thompson, 1996; Kozma, 2003).

 

In sum, to reach students at the high school level, educators must incorporate technology that students are accustomed to using, and communicate with them digitally.

 

Face the reality, this is how kids communicate - Digitally!

 

Enter PowerPoint

Due to limited budget, teachers are confined to use what is available. Most computers in public schools support the Microsoft Office Suite, and thus, PowerPoint is a very common tool. But PowerPoint can be poorly used!

 

Bad PPT presenting.

 

Use these online tutorials to improve your PPT presentation skills.

PPT Tutorials:

Title 

URL 

Comments 

PowerPoint in the Classroom 

http://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/powerpoint/

Some basic tips to use PPT effectively 

Tutorials for Teachers 

http://www.bbhcsd.org/start/t4t/ 

Tutorials for the entire MS Office suite

Presentation Zen

http://www.presentationzen.com/

Ideas on presenting with simple design

Teacher Tap

http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic76.htm

Basic how-to's for beginners

 

Additional Technology

There are other forms of free technology contents available to teachers.  In Algebra, particularly, the use algebra tiles can assist students' visual learning of abstract concepts.  Other online manipulative activities are available, and their links are listed below.

 

Be creative and let students explore.

 

Think outside of PowerPoint

There are many other ways to present information without using PowerPoint. 

Title 

URL 

Comments 

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

http://nlvm.usu.edu/ 

Online activities that facilitates visual learning of math concepts 

Bright Storm 

http://www.brightstorm.com/math 

Free math tutoring videos 

Mr. Yip's Virtual Classroom 

http://mr-yip.blogspot.com/ 

Communicate with your students online 

Algebra Tiles

http://strader.cehd.tamu.edu/Mathematics/ Algebra/AlgebraTiles/AlgebraTiles2.html

Let students explore using Algebra tiles

A+ Math
http://aplusmath.com/ Online resources for math students

 

The Role of Technology in Math Technology

A brief commentary on how using technology can be an effective way to teach mathematics.

YouTube plugin error

 

 

Interactive Whiteboard

 

 

The interactive whiteboard can also be used in secondary math.  It can make a lesson interactive, thus enhancing the instruction and learning.  The following is a website page created by Lee's Summit, MO R-7 School District that has links to  other websites with created interactive lessons. 

http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/smartboard.htm#Lessons_and_Templates

 

 

Resources

 

Images

Images are from Corbis Images.

 

Video

Jeremy Roschelle (Director). (2009). The role of technology in math education. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn7rHDRljO0&feature=channel

 

References

Debevec, K., Shih, M.Y., & Kashyap, V. (2006). Learning strategies and performance in a technology integrated classroom. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(3), 293-307.

 

Funkhouser, C. (2002/2003 Winter). The effects of computer-augmented geometry instruction on student performance and attitudes. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 35(2), 163-75.

 

Hirschhorn, D.B., & Thompson, D.R. (1996) Technology and reasoning in algebra and geometry. Mathematics Teacher, 89, 138-142.

 

Kozma, R.B. (2003). Technology and classroom practices: an international study. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 36(1), 1-14.

 

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6.