Technology
and Math
The
use of computers and other forms of technology, such as calculators,
provide students and teachers with the opportunity to focus more on
mathematical concepts and ideas without the limitations of paper and
pencil experiences.
One
of the important things to keep in mind when using technology to develop
mathematical thinking and skills is to use technology to replace existing
strategies rather than supplementing them. There just isn’t time, for
example, to spend time teaching graphing skills using paper and pencil
activities and then do the same things over again with Excel or another
software program. Graphs generated using Exel, for example, can be printed out
and used, and displayed in just the same way that graphs constructed the
traditional way can be,
Computers
also enable students to conduct problem solving and computation tasks much
faster which helps to maintain motivation and keep ideas developing.
One way to integrate computers into the math class is to set up centers one of which is based around 2 - 4 computers. Students can work with on-line interactive math activities with the same math topics they are studying in the other classroom centers. Many good interactive activities can be found on the Interactive Math Activity page as well as worksheets to help with classroom management.
In
addition to learning the basic operations of the computer there are four
ways in which computers can
be used in the classroom:
·
As a
productivity tool (writing, drawing, art programs, data bases, interactive
math activities)
·
As a
communication tool (e-mail, tele-communications)
·
As
a research tool ( the internet, searching data-bases)
· As a problem solving and decision making tool (graphing programs, specialized programs such as Systems Dynamics.
For
more information contact
Tim Whiteford at:
