Integrating IT into lessons is a great motivator for students. It provides some differentiation for students, is hands-on, often gives immediate feedback, and is interactive. While working at a school where students have limited exposure to technology and there is minimal use of computers within the home, integrating IT into the regular math programming allows students to get some experience and build a foundation for future success with the use of technology.
TIME LINES
- 1 week - begin to research lessons that coincide with math program
- 1 week - schedule times for use of SMARTBoard in the classroom and in the computer lab
- same week as above - try lessons on SMARTBoard / computer lab to make sure they are functioning well
- same week as above - take class to computer lab for familiarity with technology and its uses
- 1 week - implement at least 1 lesson, within the 3 weeks listed
- 1 week - schedule time to become familiar with SMARTBoard
- 2 weeks - repeat above cycle within 2 weeks
- A Guide to Effective Instructions, 4-6
- Attend seminar (at math conference) on technologies to further develop skills and comfort level for implementation
- http://www.eworkshop.on.ca
- http://www.bitstrips.com
- http://www.smarttech.com
- begin searching for activities to integrate into mathematics
- check with teachers to schedule computer lab / SMARTBoard time and reserve for specific class
- match lesson to scheduled math program to ensure an easy transition as they continue to work within the same Big Ideas
- prior to the lesson, check with teachers to make sure that students have some working knowledge of computer use for the technology skills required to use the specific math program
- Lab scheduling difficulties - be sure to check schedule and sign class up for a suitable time and be flexible in my own scheduling should other conflicts arise.
- Technology Failures or Student Lack of Experience - be sure to check the program and computers prior to the start of the lesson. As well, select tasks that are simple for students to use and provide explicit explanations should students have a lack of familiarity with technology. I can begin the first few introductory lessons by use of the SMARTBoard in the classroom. With this, the Getting Started portion of the lesson can take place on the SMARTBoard as well, have one of the groups using the SMARTBoard throughout the Working On It. A few subsequent lessons can take place in similar fashion and I can rotate groups using the SMARTBoard to ensure they gain some experience. (Also, the task the others are working on must be challenging enough to keep them focused but simple enough that they will not require too much more support.
Calendar / Checklist - as I check with teachers and their long range plans for math, I will write in the various dates that I will begin using the technology. From this, I will begin finding lessons ahead of time and testing the computers as I lead up to the actual implementation of technology in the classroom for math lessons.
