Using Technology to Enhance Mathematical Understanding

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EducationalTechnology_at_OSPI
Use Technology to Enhance Mathematical
Understanding

OSPI January Conference 2008
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Why Technology?

• Engage students
• Todays learners are different!
• Reach and teach kids who learn differently
• Powerful teaching tools
• Students explore at their own pace
• Repeat steps as needed

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Why Technology?

• Customize the learning environment
• Visualize concepts
• Simulate real-world conditions
• Get immediate feedback

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NO LIMIT!
Project 2001-07
http//www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/eett.aspx

• Title II, Part D, Enhancing Education Through
  Technology competitive 2-year grant project for
  grades 5-9
• What results did we seek?
• Deepen understanding of mathematical concepts
• Improve math achievement

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NO LIMIT!
Project 2001-07
http//www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/eett.aspx

• How did we achieve these results?
• Extensive professional development with math
  integration specialists
• Focus on effective mathematics instruction
• Integrate the right technology
• Build professional learning communities

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Technologies That Work

• Document camera
• Interactive whiteboard
• Graphing calculators or handhelds
• Computer and LCD projector
• Web Applets
• Web resources
• Mathematics software

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Engage Kids
Use a document camera

• A good place to start
• Replaces the overhead projector
• User-friendly, non-threatening
• More flexible than overhead
• Better quality image, too
• Teacher shows student work
• Students share work
• Big increase in student engagement

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Visual Mathematics? Yes
Use an interactive whiteboard

• Another good place to start
• Replaces the chalkboard
• Customize problems and examples
• Students show their work
• Versatile
• Works well with a teacher- or student-centered
  instructional style
• Supplement curriculum with software

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Bring New Math Conceptsto the Whole Class
Use an LCD projector

• Solves the one-computer classroom dilemma
• Teacher or student can display
• Mathematics software
• Sample problems
• Student work
• Web applets
• Web resources

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Bring New Math Conceptsto Each Student
Use graphing calculators or handhelds

• Make it visual or simulate a real-world problem
• Great for learners who have trouble grasping a
  concept
• Customize problems and examples
• Responder options to gauge student understanding
• Supplement curriculum with software

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Web Applets Make Learning Fun

• Java-based applications that help to visualize
  concepts or run simulations
• Usually free
• Run on all computers and most browsers
• Helps learners grasp new concepts
• National Library of Virtual Manipulativeshttp//n
  lvm.usu.edu/en/nav/
• Interactivate Website http//www.shodor.org/inter
  activate/

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Web Resources Extend Learning

• Seeing Math Interactive Software Tools
  http//seeingmath.concord.org/resources.html
• Math Problems, Games and Articles
  http//nrich.maths.org
• Mega-Mathematics http//www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/
  
• King's List of Online Math Activities
  http//www.k111.k12.il.us/king/math.htm

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Math Software That Works!

• Technology Solutions That Work Database by Metiri
  (free to Washington educators)
• http//www.metiri.com/techsolutions/
• What Works Clearinghouse (U.S. DOE)
• http//ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/
• CARET - education technology research (ISTE)
• http//caret.iste.org/
• Evaluate Claims About Educational Software
• http//www.ncrel.org/tech/claims/

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And Theres More Online

• On-line Grade Level Resources
• http//www.k12.wa.us/ealrs/
• Thinkfinity (MarcoPolo) in Washington State
• http//www.thinkfinity.wednet.edu/
• Awesome Library - K-12 Education Directory
• http//www.awesomelibrary.org/
• Annenberg Education Resources
• http//www.learner.org/

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And More

• EduHound Everything for Education K-12
• http//www.eduhound.com
• ATT Blue Web'n Website
• http//www.kn.att.com/wired/bluewebn/
• Kathy Schrocks Guide for Educators
• http//school.discovery.com/schrockguide
• The Math Forum Ask Dr. Math
• http//mathforum.org/dr.math/

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EducationalTechnology_at_OSPI
Contact Me
Dennis Small, dennis.small_at_k12.wa.us 360-725-6384
More From Educational Technology
http//www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/pres.aspx