Evonne Tutkaluk

Why Technology in the Math Classroom?

I very much think that good technology use in math & science learning could be anything that could enhance the lesson versus always teaching from a textbook. For example, that could be anything from base ten blocks, rulers, microscopes or computers.

I try to create activities and learning experiences that are engaging, tied to curriculum and relevant to learners. That doesn’t mean, though, that the connections are always transparent—or even upfront. In math it’s more common to hear “when am I going to use this in real life” than “let’s do that again”.

Although I don’t think that the nature of learning is necessarily changing, I believe that the skills required to learn and the spaces where learning is occurring (online, blended environments, synchronous & asynchronous activities, etc.) are changing due to the infusion of technology in education. Instead of memorizing material from a textbook, or using a few sources for a research project, students face new challenges of sifting and sorting vast amounts of information available online. As a result, we need to teach our students to determine what constitutes reliable sources and HOW to sort through huge amounts of data/resources. We are in the era of mash-ups, blurring the boundaries of authorship. Thus, I truly believe, more than ever, that we (teachers) in the digital age prepare our students as digital age citizens who properly cite works used and respect copyright. However, it often seems that we are competing with digital media for our student’s attention. I think that education for the present involves embracing these new digital technologies and finding creative new ways to refocus our students’ attentions to our curriculum, but by using the same media we are competing with. Blogs and wikis are a starting point, but I would love to explore the potentials for mobile technologies as I believe this is the way things are moving towards.

Technology in the math & science classroom affords students a more student, inquiry and exploratory means of learning that is more student-centred rather than always teacher-centred and has the ability to reach different learning styles, access and student demographics. Some students need more visual graphics, animations or simulations and others more audio. Some students need more writing (text based) and exploring their thoughts kind of work space such as blogs & wikis. That said, I believe we (teachers) should be constantly observing our students comfort levels and competence with the technologies we are using so we can provide assistance or guidance where necessary.

Further, technology also affords learners opportunities to find and explore learning with real life application and access to real world examples and projects. Synchronous and asynchronous learning environments both afford learners with different communication styles access to their education and learning in different places and times. Of course there are privacy and confidentiality issues that we must be sure to adhere to and monitor with our students. Misuse can lead to cyber-bullying and cheating.

As many have said, in an ideal situation, every teacher and student would have access to internet and mobile devices or laptops so students can access various learning activities and learning environments.