Modeling a Digital and Global Age Learning Environment
Over the past decade our world has become increasingly more dependent on technology. Some school districts have made an effort to bring more technology into every classroom, but it is time for teachers to include technological tools in each of their lessons to assist each of their students’ needs. There are tools that can be used in the classroom such as clickers, smartboards, and document cameras. There are also so many web based resources that teachers can use in the classroom and that students can use at home, given they have internet access. Teachers need to take the time to be trained in technological tools that can improve their students’ learning environment and many will quickly find that these tools assist many of their teaching strategies.
Class Website
A class website is a great communication tool for teachers, their students, and the students’ parents. My website includes a unit calendar that includes daily homework and quiz/test dates. Parents and students can check the website each evening to make sure all homework is being completed and to be made aware of future assignments. My website also includes links to online textbooks, helpful math websites and websites that provide fun games for extending each of my students’ mathematical skills. Many schools have web address set up for each teacher or more personalized websites can be created on KompoZer which is available for free download.
Math is Fun
Math is Fun is a resource website that makes learning mathematics fun and easy. The site covers k-12 curriculum and provides definitions and procedures for solving all types of math problems. This is a great review website as well as a resource for double checking equations and methods for solving problems you are not 100% comfortable with. This online website can help students complete their homework if they forget any needed equations and it can also help parents help their children. It is no secret that many parents have difficulty helping with their child’s math homework past the elementary years; this website will help parents quickly review some concepts and procedures and further their ability to help with homework.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is another math resource website. This website is excellent for students who learn by example. There are 2-3 examples for each topic that begin with video instruction showing step by step procedures to solve a problem. After video examples there are practice problems that have to be correct before moving forward but also hints to help. My students love Khan Academy and many times when I know I will have a substitute I have them show the Khan Academy video as opposed to teach a lesson to my students. On my website I update the Khan Academy link to go directly to our current topic page. This resource along with the textbook website, which also has instructional videos, is usually enough instruction for my advanced students to keep on top of work when they miss class. This allows me to not have to take time away from other students to teach students who were absent. For some of my struggling learners it is expected of them to review lessons on Khan Academy each evening because hearing the information twice greatly improves their success.
GeoGebra
When my students enter the geometry unit we spend a lot of time on laptops or in the computer lab. I have found that geometry is one of the toughest units for young middle school students to comprehend because it involves so much more than they are used to dealing with at one time. GeoGebra is a great resource for all students, but especially those who are just beginning their journey through geometry. My students use GeoGebra, which is an online resource that can help students create shapes and find their measurements. Students have difficulty with relationships between shapes and remembering differences between area and perimeter. GeoGebra helps students, especially visual learners, actually see what area means vs perimeter. I have GeoGebra linked on my class website so students can have quick access to it at home.
With an ever changing world technology allows teachers keep their lessons and students up to date with the latest mathematical tools. Providing students with the knowledge of how many resources are online and available for help with homework will make students more interested in completing their homework because going online and searching through websites is fun for young adolescents. It is important for teachers to be able to make the transition from paper and pencil, to online tools, and then back to paper and pencil. Resources such as GeoGebra are wonderful for helping students gain conceptual understanding of abstract concepts, but the procedures that are needed to solve problems without the help of technology cannot be forgotten. Students will be taught what a good digital citizen is and the importance of this will be reminded to students whenever we go online as a class. I will model each resource for my students before I expect, or encourage them to use it without my supervision. Trusting my students to make good choices usually makes them want to keep that trust and I rarely come across problems with online resources.
Resources
KompoZer
Math is Fun
Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/
GeoGebra
Digital Citizenship