Advantage of
Integrating Technology
There are many advantages to using technology in the
classroom. Virtual manipulatives are replicas accessed through the Internet (Roblyer
& Doering, 2012). These are very useful because it allows the students to
have a visual representation of what they are learning. Roblyer and Doering
(2012) stated, “Obara (2010a) says that students have a hard time visualizing three-dimensional
solids” (pg. 313). Technology makes this easy for students because it actually
allows them to be able to see the shape. When talking about graphing calculators
Roblyer and Doering (2012) stated, “ Research has shown that these tools can
improve students’ understanding of functions and graphs” (pg. 313). Interactive
or dynamic geometry are programs that allows users to manipulate geometric
construction (Roblyer & Doering, 2012). This program is excellent because
many students struggle in Geometry due to not being able to understand the
visual imaging of some shapes. Here is a
link where you can get a Geometry sketch pad to be used to help students.
Disadvantages if
Integrating Technology
Roblyer and Doering (2012) stated, “Technologies are available
to support either kind of method, but the approach teachers use to teach math
definitely determines the kind of integration strategies they would consider
(pg. 316). If not implemented right, technologies can be very harmful in the
classroom. Some teachers teach certain ways and all technologies cannot be
implemented into their classroom. If they try to implement unneeded technology
it could just cloud the classroom and keep students from learning. Sometimes we
can rely on technology too much as well. Now, some students have forgotten how
to do simple math, because they just punch stuff in to a calculator. I think
students should still have to do some math without technology so they learn how
to do it. At some point in the future technology might not be there, and the
students need to know how to do it without technology. Below is a website that
talks about the downside of using technology
Specific Activities
and Programs
1. Implementing data-driven curricula
2. Supporting math related- communications via
math forums
3. Motivating skill building and practice
4. Use graphing calculators
5. Do some calculators based labs
6. Principles and standards for school
mathematics
I think the geometry sketch pad is awesome and would work great in the classroom! As Roblyer and Doering (2012) point out instructional software is designed to "teach skills or information through demonstrations, examples, explanations, or problem solving" (p. 11). I think you could implement this software in your math classroom and it would work really well!
ReplyDeleteI think you are spot on when discussing the benefits of students being able to see three dimensional shapes through technology. Without technology it might be hard for students to comprehend what three dimensional shapes should look like, "students often have problems visualizing abstract concepts and data" (Roblyer & Doering, 2011 pg.338).
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you better for putting graphing calculators under you resources and programs. Graphing calculators are one of the best things that could have happen to math teachers and students. Roblyer and Doering (2012) stated that "research has shown that these tools can improve students' understanding of functions and graphs" (p.313). It's so funny because that's not even half of what the graphing calculator can do.
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