15) X squared minus the quantity 42. 16) The quantity x plus 4 squared minus twenty. 17) Two times x squared minus twenty. That was me 4 years ago reading the answers to the previous days homework problems. 4 years ago I had no projector. No digital answers to homework problems. No book online. And my computer took me 5 minutes to take attendance . . . and that is if it even worked on that given day.
Thanks to a wonderful technology bond, our school vaulted into the digital age. Now we can access our book online. We can post homework answers and solutions. Projectors allow us to save precious minutes every hour. Apple computers make many tasks simple and efficient.
I struggled to determine how I was going to incorporate technology into my lesson plans. I first considered not using any at all and comparing that to how I normally teach, but I knew what those drawbacks would be. I did not want to punish my students by not using my normal technology. I finally decided to use existing educational software and compare that to a review assignment from the textbook. I then remembered that I have Camtasia software on my computer. Camtasia is software used for a screencast. Our Special Ed department recently received SMART Boards, so I located on that I could use with one of my classes. The intent was to record the review lesson. SMART Board would allow me to capture notes over the review problems. I was then going to post the review lesson to YouTube. After I decided what technology I was going to use I went back and identified the primary strategies that I was going to use. For the technology lesson I was using Reinforcing effort and providing recognition. For the non-technology lesson I was using Homework and Practice. Both lessons have a secondary strategy of Cooperative Learning.
My question is which method will have the greatest impact on student achievement. I used a pre-test and post-test asking about student confidence levels to determine perceived impact. Once the test is given I will compare the results of that to see which one had a greater impact.
My concern with the homework assignment is I can’t gauge how well the class as a whole understands most concepts. Students work at their own pace and I mostly answer individual questions. When I do get the same question several times, I can address the whole class and clear up the confusion, but for the most part I can only assess individuals on individual concepts.
My concern with the educational software is that students will miss the point of learning. My Students get really competitive and they all want to win. Even though each student is required to complete the problem on their own, I am only able to check the group answer. I have to trust that each member is responsible for their own learning.
I did some research to see what kind of impact the technology would have and I found a report by John Schacter. Mr. Schacter’s briefing was an analysis of many other studies that have been conducted. He stated that 4th and 8th graders that used math games had increased math achievement as well as an increase in positive school climate. He also stated that on average students were 3 to 5 weeks ahead in achievement of students who used drill and practice. One downside is that the technology users scored lower on drill and practice sections of standardized tests.
I like the use of educational software games as a review. It allows me to get through a lot of content in a class period. Many times I will use a combination of the two. It will be interesting to see the results of my study.
Accessed on February 5, 2011. The Impact of Educational Technology on Student Achievement. What the Most Current Research Has to Say. Schacter, John. http://www.waynecountyschools.org/150820127152538360/lib/150820127152538360/impact_on_student_achievement.pdf
Picture: Accessed on February 5, 2011 http://www.joesdaily.com/2009/08/01/courtesy-of-the-fail-blog/
15) X squared minus the quantity 42. 16), MAKES MY SKIN CRAWL! Wow does that ever bring back some not so good memories. Sorry, I didn't have a progressive math teacher like you to help me through hell and back!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool to see everybody in EDU-590 changing the face of their classrooms! Every teacher should have to do this, it would change the face of teaching as we know it. It makes me wish I could be a student in each of our classes to experience the change.
The process of comparing technology vs. non-technology in your classroom is great. With your commitment to finding the right answer your students are really going to be better than any of their predecessors. Math of all subjects is so difficult for so many people, by changing it up and integrating technology in you are appealing to the masses instead of teaching a few.