Upon completion of our in class blog work, I was immediately struck with a few lasting thoughts and ideas. First off, I understood completely why we were asked to complete this rather basic investigation so late in the semester. Because, manipulatives and their use are such an important part of creating a successful math learning environment. They can help make math both fun and easier to understand for students, therefore, it is very important that we as future educators understand how to truly utilize them in a classroom. This is why we have waited until the end of the semester, as we are now much more knowledgeable on the content and process standards, etc.
To discuss the actual manipulatives, as I mentioned in class, the two that I were most struck with, were the unifix cubes and the pattern blocks. As Dr. Grant has mentioned before and mentioned multiple times on Tuesday, pattern blocks are essentially the universal manipulative. Meaning, they can be used to teach multiple concepts and grade levels. They are a very basic and effective teaching tool, and I would be sure that I had them in my classroom.
The other manipulative that I was particularly impressed with was the unifix cubes. I can relate back and remember using them in middle school classrooms in my own early education, and they seemed to make a difference. They allow students to explore a wide array of concepts (not quite as wide as the pattern blocks), such as percentages, surface area, ratios, etc. They are simple and soft (meaning students cannot get hurt/hurt other using them) and students can have fun using them.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Technology Blog
As we all are well aware, technology was a very integral and continuous aspect of this course and the work involved. From day one, we were asked to complete simply technology tasks such as signing in on the smart board (the only time I have ever done that in a class), and setting up and maintaining an online blog (much like a personal journal of reflections from the semester). Throughout this blog I will address a few pieces of technology that really stood out to me within this course.
To begin, the smart board. While I had seen smart boards, and even written on them once or twice, before coming to class, I had absolutely no idea of their actual capabilities. We used them to do everything from take and discuss notes as a class, to creating our own interactive manipulatives for student use. We were required to sign in on the smart board each and every day, using new ways to do so, forcing us to explore some of the most basic functions and options the smart board provides. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with this piece of technology, because, from what I understand, they are being integrated into almost all classrooms throughout the state and country. Meaning, once I am in my own classroom, I will surely need to work with one. So, the basic knowledge that I gained will give me a leg up on learning the more advanced functions later on in my professional life.
Another important piece of technology we used on many occasions was the google docs program. While this was not the only class that I used the program in, this was the first semester in which I used it. This was also the course in which I used the program the most. While it is basic in format, and can be grasped and even mastered in a days time, it is an important piece of technology to understand, as it will be used many times throughout the duration of my education and career. Therefore, I am grateful for the extended opportunities to work with the program.
These are only two pieces of technology used in this course, and if I were to truly discuss all, this blog may never end. This course really was completely centered around technology, and I found that to be nothing but beneficial. We live in an ever expanding technological world, and it is only right that our classes and educational environment does everything possible to keep up. I feel that this class accomplished that and more.
To begin, the smart board. While I had seen smart boards, and even written on them once or twice, before coming to class, I had absolutely no idea of their actual capabilities. We used them to do everything from take and discuss notes as a class, to creating our own interactive manipulatives for student use. We were required to sign in on the smart board each and every day, using new ways to do so, forcing us to explore some of the most basic functions and options the smart board provides. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with this piece of technology, because, from what I understand, they are being integrated into almost all classrooms throughout the state and country. Meaning, once I am in my own classroom, I will surely need to work with one. So, the basic knowledge that I gained will give me a leg up on learning the more advanced functions later on in my professional life.
Another important piece of technology we used on many occasions was the google docs program. While this was not the only class that I used the program in, this was the first semester in which I used it. This was also the course in which I used the program the most. While it is basic in format, and can be grasped and even mastered in a days time, it is an important piece of technology to understand, as it will be used many times throughout the duration of my education and career. Therefore, I am grateful for the extended opportunities to work with the program.
These are only two pieces of technology used in this course, and if I were to truly discuss all, this blog may never end. This course really was completely centered around technology, and I found that to be nothing but beneficial. We live in an ever expanding technological world, and it is only right that our classes and educational environment does everything possible to keep up. I feel that this class accomplished that and more.
Errors Blog
Going through and revising and reviewing the math errors blog was, in my opinion, the most beneficial activity of the semester. It gave us one of our only opportunities to witness and work with actual student work. By observing the errors that many students committed in the classroom, we were able to see not only where the students went wrong (while observing patterns that could be observed in the classroom), we also learned multiple ways in which to curb these math behaviors and help the students correct their individual errors.
Another large part of the errors process was learning new ways in which to teach students the mathematical concepts that they obviously struggled with. I found this portion to be just as beneficial, as these are strategies and technology resources that I otherwise would not have been aware of. Many students learn in many different ways, and therefore it is important to be able to teach the same concept in various ways to make up for this.
Another large part of the errors process was learning new ways in which to teach students the mathematical concepts that they obviously struggled with. I found this portion to be just as beneficial, as these are strategies and technology resources that I otherwise would not have been aware of. Many students learn in many different ways, and therefore it is important to be able to teach the same concept in various ways to make up for this.
Monday, April 12, 2010
April MTMS Article - Map Scale, Proportion, and Google Earth
The article, "Map Scale, Proportion, and Google Earth", written by Martin C. Roberge and Linda L. Cooper, is rather self explanatory via the title, but still very interesting. It focuses on the idea of using the revolutionary Google Earth software to teach students about the concepts of creating map scales and proportions.
I found this to be a very interesting concept. As we all know, we live in a rather technology driven society, and this is something that we should incorporate into our every day lessons and instruction. It is simple knowledge that if we can play to our students interests (technology being a major interest of many of todays students) then we will be more successful in providing beneficial instruction to said students. Google earth is a very interesting and user friendly software, and by incorporating it into this mathematical instruction, it has been ensured that these students will be given a better opportunity to connect to this particular lesson.
I found this to be a very interesting concept. As we all know, we live in a rather technology driven society, and this is something that we should incorporate into our every day lessons and instruction. It is simple knowledge that if we can play to our students interests (technology being a major interest of many of todays students) then we will be more successful in providing beneficial instruction to said students. Google earth is a very interesting and user friendly software, and by incorporating it into this mathematical instruction, it has been ensured that these students will be given a better opportunity to connect to this particular lesson.
TCM April Article - Supporting Language Learners
The "Supporting Language Learners" article, written by Jo Ann Candy, Thomas E. Hodges, and Clara Lee Brown, discusses the various benefits of incorporating various instructional practices and techniques into mathematical lessons to help support English language learners. The article goes on to discuss the additions to the educational programs that the incorporation of these programs provides, and its ability to ensure the providing of an excellent and equitable program for all.
I personally feel that this is a very important topic, and this is the reason that I chose to focus on it. Many people underestimate the struggles that English language learners face every day in the educational environment. Not only are these students facing set back in a social setting but an academic one as well. On top of making extra efforts to learn the English language, the students must also incorporate the differences in subject instruction from their native language. Mathematics is one subject that is very diverse and taught in many different ways in different countries. This difference in instruction makes it difficult for students to grasp seemingly basic concepts when learning a new language and a new system of instruction.
I personally feel that this is a very important topic, and this is the reason that I chose to focus on it. Many people underestimate the struggles that English language learners face every day in the educational environment. Not only are these students facing set back in a social setting but an academic one as well. On top of making extra efforts to learn the English language, the students must also incorporate the differences in subject instruction from their native language. Mathematics is one subject that is very diverse and taught in many different ways in different countries. This difference in instruction makes it difficult for students to grasp seemingly basic concepts when learning a new language and a new system of instruction.
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