Technology in Mathematics!

Judy Chandler is a technology integration specialist, mathematics teacher, and math mentor/trainer for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative. In her two podcast I learned various reasons why integrating technology into mathematics is important. Chandler mentioned in her podcast that some teachers are reluctant to incorporate technology. This is mostly due to the fact that the teachers consider it an add on and believe that they must cover the chapters in the books in order to meet the standards in which the students will be tested.

What most teachers don't realize is that most information discussed in the books are also taught through various games and activities done over the computer. That is where mathematics and technology come together. Students these days are learning more and more about technology and in order for most to be able to survive in the future technology in the classroom will make a big difference.

The National Council of Teachers in Mathematics believe, "Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics, it influences mathematics that is taught, enhances student learning and its principles, and standards for mathematics documents has included the technology principle as one of the six crucial principles for high quality mathematics education."

Chandler states, "that students are taught lesson by lesson and example by example through a text book". This kind of learning causes disengagement. Chandler suggest, "that we engage our students to think Mathematically". This could be done primarily through asking questions. In my own experience as an observer for a first grade class the students tend to interact more positively to the teacher asking them questions about why the solution is a certain number and how they came to that solution that just giving them example after example. This is not helping them learn how to perform the problem it is merely just helping them get there the problems listed.

As teachers, I believe it is essential to incorporate any type of on hands training that we can. This on hands training could include games done on the computer or anything that keeps the students engaged and not just trying to keep up with the other students. You will have those students who don't catch on as quick and its essential as a teacher to provide as much remedial education and tutoring as you can to insure that all students are on the same level.