Will Technology Create Job Cuts?

I couldn't help but think of myself as a highschool student, sitting in a classroom watching a video recording. And my next thought was me SLEEPING in class.

I thought checking homework while playing a video was a great idea. However, if the whole class was presented this way it would be impractical. I firmly believe that in addition to teaching mathematics, my role as a teacher is to inspire my students. Students need to be encouraged. I don't see how a video can provide prompt encouragement to the students.

Also, I believe that social interaction is key to learning and this can not be demonstrated through a video.

Integrating the Graphing Calculator in the Classroom

The teacher who influeced my teaching the most, regarding technology, was my cooperating teacher at my first placement. She continuously stressed the importance of the graphing calculator. Solving quadratic equations was a topic I covered during my solo teaching. While in the past, I knew I should set the equation equal to zero and solve. I could do this process with my eyes closed. However, it was not until Mrs. Morgan showed me the graph on the graphing calculater that I fully understood the process. I learned the critical values were the points where y=0; therefore, these are the points where the graph crossed the x-axis.

This event allowed me to see that the students need to make connections between solving algebraically and graphically. It is difficult for students to make the connection on their own. In my experience, integrating technology is most beneficial to the students when it is combined with algebraic solutions. Also, many students like to use the graphing calculator as a means of a check. Thus, the students can do the work algebraically and check graphically. This is always a good compromise.

Blogging in Math

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to mathematics than numbers. Learning how to read and write mathematics is far different than memorizing formulas and procedures to get a solution. In current mathematics, conceptual understanding is being pushed more than basic skills. Many educators including myself feel that literacy in mathematics is a part of conceptual understanding. Once a student can defend his or her knowledge, the student can have ownership of their knowledge. This is where blogging comes into teaching mathematics.

As an inspiring mathematics teacher, I think blogging is a great tool to allow students to integrate journal writing and technology. If students can put into writing their knowledge of mathematics, I believe they will understand the material and perform better on assessments. Some examples of students' blogs might include: the steps to solving radical equations, word problem procedures and tips, explanations of formulas, derivations, and definitions of vocabulary terms. These blogs could also become a means of a study guide since the students will have access to the blogs outside of school.

In addition, the blogs are a means of communicating. As a future teacher, I will have the ability to comment on my students' post. Also, communication between parents is a possibility.