Readers,
For those wondering about the MARS project from a few weeks ago, I have not heard back about the data yet. I will make sure to post a blog once I do. So for this week, I want to talk about challenges that teachers face (like myself) when it comes to implementing new technology.
Today, my math department and I just had a meeting about how we can incorporate calculus type ideas into algebra 1 courses. This can lead to less confusion on simple topics once students get to the Calculus level. The whole meeting we went through actual math questions, discussed our answers, and talked about how it would benefit students later in their math careers. The meeting was an overall success. However, now I'm wondering when I will have the time to implement these amazing new ideas and concepts. I wish we would have spent that meeting actually discussing areas and topics where this could be beneficial.
Having said that, this is how I feel about implementing technology into our classrooms. My district is really good about giving professional development days (like the one I had today that I referred to in the above paragraph). My district is also trying to get to a 1 to 1 ratio of chrome books to students. But there have not been any meetings that give us time to search the web and find new and interesting programs, games, or resources. As teachers we are already strapped for time and then we are suppose to find even more time to research the next up and coming program?
A shift needs to happen if teachers are to implement technology effectively. We need time to "play" not just be told to use technology. We need time to find the technology, try it out, and then come up with a game plan for how to use it "effectively"...not just "use" it.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
October 4, 2014
Readers,
In this week's post I'd like to start by saying the students are really responding well to the Quest program that I've mentioned in the past. They are scoring high and are starting to figure out the expectations, how it effects their grades, as well as how to best handle glitches in the program. I'm very happy with my school's choice of program for online homework.
For today's post I want to discuss a new experience in the online blended world we live in. Last week, myself and 3 other math teachers at the high school I work at, were chosen to participate in a study. The study is for a computer programming game that could improve the engagement level of students of all ages. It starts by teaching them basic computer programming skills, then moves on to a specific learning objective.
The premise of the game is that you are a Mars Rover and you need to complete different objectives to progress through the game. The programs walks students through basic computer programming, and then you use programming to learn your teaching objective. In this case, the program revolved around slope-intercept form in mathematics.
The goal of the study is to test the engagement level of students. If the engagement level turns out to be better than typical methods used in today's classroom, the Mars game could progress to a national level and be tried out in not only math classrooms, but move into english, science, and any other subject area imaginable.
One half of the students in the study take a pre test, work on the game for about an hour, then take the post test. The other half take the pre test, work on IXL (which is a common math program used throughout the country) then take the post test.
I'm excited to know the results, of which I will blog about next week!
In this week's post I'd like to start by saying the students are really responding well to the Quest program that I've mentioned in the past. They are scoring high and are starting to figure out the expectations, how it effects their grades, as well as how to best handle glitches in the program. I'm very happy with my school's choice of program for online homework.
For today's post I want to discuss a new experience in the online blended world we live in. Last week, myself and 3 other math teachers at the high school I work at, were chosen to participate in a study. The study is for a computer programming game that could improve the engagement level of students of all ages. It starts by teaching them basic computer programming skills, then moves on to a specific learning objective.
The premise of the game is that you are a Mars Rover and you need to complete different objectives to progress through the game. The programs walks students through basic computer programming, and then you use programming to learn your teaching objective. In this case, the program revolved around slope-intercept form in mathematics.
The goal of the study is to test the engagement level of students. If the engagement level turns out to be better than typical methods used in today's classroom, the Mars game could progress to a national level and be tried out in not only math classrooms, but move into english, science, and any other subject area imaginable.
One half of the students in the study take a pre test, work on the game for about an hour, then take the post test. The other half take the pre test, work on IXL (which is a common math program used throughout the country) then take the post test.
I'm excited to know the results, of which I will blog about next week!
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