Technology and Mathematics In Grades 68

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Technology and Mathematics In Grades 6-8

• Kourtney Frick

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Middle School Mathematics

• Middle school students are unique
• Social/Emotional Needs
• Transient
• Elementary concepts to High School applications
• State standards
• 4 years of mathematics at the high school level
• Minimum of Algebra II

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Technology Can Help

• Understanding for Abstract Concepts
• Visual Models
• Checks for Understanding
• Diversify Levels of Understanding
• Make rote tasks easier when solving more complex
  problems

• Social Activities
• Group work
• Access to many people
• New Environment

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Creating Understanding with Technology

• Shodor a website devoted to mathematics with a
  collection of applets designed to help students
  visualize concepts
• NCTM Illuminations another website devoted to
  challenging understanding of mathematical
  concepts with applets and lessons
• AAA Math an on-line collection of math games
  that will engage students

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More Understanding with Technology

• Calculators / Spreadsheets when students are
  working with complex tasks, calculators and
  spreadsheets may make understanding quicker for
  students by automating skills they already know.

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Social/ Emotional Examples

• WebQuests provides group projects
• United Streaming provides a new stimulation for
  teaching various concepts
• Email/ On-line Chat Rooms provides interaction
  between people from different cities and even
  countries
• Jasper Video Series videos that are engaging
  and providing opportunities for students to
  problem solve as they would in a real-world
  setting

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Overall

• Technology can be engaging, challenging and
  diversifying.
• One must know how to use it and when it is
  appropriate to use.
• Training
• Extra time
• Access to Resources

• Good Teaching must be present when using
  technology.
• Teacher is leader.
• Learning must be active, not filler.