Technology should be used to inspire, motivate and enhance teaching and learning. It allows students to show their knowledge in a variety of ways and opens their eyes to an endless realm of possibilities. Technology can reach all types of learners, and teaches students how to think critically, problem-solve and collaborate both on and offline. When used authentically within a classroom, it allows students to access the curriculum in such a way that would not be possible otherwise.
While I integrate technology regularly into my daily practice, I always struggled with how to incorporate technology into Mathematics authentically. I teach elementary, and my school has a very hands-on approach to Math where students are continually using manipulatives to show their thinking, gain understanding and grasp concepts. I find it challenging to find technology that fits nicely into this pedagogical approach to learning that doesn’t seem forced. There have been times when I have used it organically, such as using Sphero to teach angles, but for many outcomes, especially number outcomes, I struggle to find an organic connection.
I also use various programs such as MyiMaths and Mathletics to reinforce concepts, but using those programs, in my mind, aren’t redefining learning but instead are being used as a substitution for activity sheets with the benefits of the program grading the work for me. My students also use different types of technology in Math to show their understanding of what they have learned. For instance, this week they are making a “How to” videos on how to add fractions, but again the technology in these tasks are not helping them understand our outcomes, but are instead exposing them to different applications and programs. I look forward to gaining more knowledge on how to use technology to help students understand Math concepts within this course!
Great post Sarah. I really appreciated the way you pointed out that technology allows “show their knowledge in a variety of ways and opens their eyes to an endless realm of possibilities”. Technology isn’t meant to take the place of the teaching or valuable hands on practice in the classroom. In fact, if technology can replace the teacher then we have to question the quality of the teaching that was occuring. I think technology in Math isn’t about using it to learn the concepts we would have otherwise learned from the teacher. I think we have a chance to use it to go deeper, explore, apply our learning. Game simulations, coding, video creation, stop motion manipulatives, and more, allow students engaging ways to use their mathematical knowledge and skills beyond answering another paper and pencil question. Creating “How to” videos is a powerful way to apply your understanding and act as a resource to teach others. Khan academy demonstrates this all the time. I think this definitely helps students more deeply understand the outcomes.
Do we need to use the technology to learn the concepts initially? Or can we continue to use it in a way that extends and applies the concepts in ways we couldn’t accomplish in the classroom alone outside of a workbook.
Trish
Thanks for your reply Trish,
You make an excellent argument. Technology can be used to extend knowledge rather than to build it initially. To expand on this, I was reminded through one of the videos this week that using technology to show learning and understanding can also help level the playing field to a wide range of learners. I used to work in a school with high numbers of EAL learners where written language was not easily accessible to everyone. Technology allowed for everyone to express what they knew in a way that convenient and for them while building new skills.
Cheers,
Sarah