Blogs might not be the first thing you think of doing in a math class. But, being a soon-to-be math teacher, I can see a few ways that blogs can be useful in a high school mathematics class. I think that new technologies can really aid students in the fostering of learning. However, those technologies have to be used properly and appropriately.
The first way I can think of to use a blog in my classroom is to use it as a way for students to communicate. We could have a classroom blog where students can reply and discuss questions they have about homework and assignments, as well as getting help to study for quizzes and tests. It could also be a great place for students to communicate when they do group projects in my class. I, as the teacher, could also join in by posting links that students might find useful and entertaining.
A classroom blog could also be useful to have students keep a journal. My plan is to have students keep a journal where they answer daily discussion questions or solve a daily math question. A blog could create an online version of this where students can respond to prompts that I give them. Because it would be an outside of class activity, I would issue a question weekly instead of daily. Students could also discuss what they think, comment on others posts, and compare different skills as well. It would work almost like an online discussion board.
Blogs could also be used to create online study guides. After each week of assignments and different mathematical concepts, students could work in groups to take these different concepts and write blog posts summarizing what it is and how to approach it. They can include helpful links, examples, and possible test questions from each. By the time a unit test approaches, students will have completed a whole study guide full of information that can be accessed by all students.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
PLN #1 - My Educational Toolkit
I am currently seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education. I have created a LiveBinder to keep track of all the websites and other tools that I could use in my classroom someday. The focus of my LiveBinder is 9-12 grade Mathematics. The name of my LiveBinder is My Mathematical Toolkit.
I am finding LiveBinders to be very helpful. It is a way that I can store all of the websites that I find interesting and that I can incorporate in my lessons as a teacher. It is also really simple to use. I found a Binder that I thought was useful. It looks to me like the teacher of a high school Algebra II class set this up for his students to view. http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?present=true&id=43055 It includes YouTube videos on certain math topics and also a Final Exam Prep tab for students looking for ways to study for the final exam. I think that giving the students access to a LiveBinder is a great idea and a great way to share information and extra links that could be helpful to the students.
I am finding LiveBinders to be very helpful. It is a way that I can store all of the websites that I find interesting and that I can incorporate in my lessons as a teacher. It is also really simple to use. I found a Binder that I thought was useful. It looks to me like the teacher of a high school Algebra II class set this up for his students to view. http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?present=true&id=43055 It includes YouTube videos on certain math topics and also a Final Exam Prep tab for students looking for ways to study for the final exam. I think that giving the students access to a LiveBinder is a great idea and a great way to share information and extra links that could be helpful to the students.
My Professional Learning Network Project
I am very excited about writing a blog. I am using this blog as a tool to better equip me with technologies that I need as a teacher. In doing this project, I will be able to stay updated on new trends and gain knowledge about how to use them as well. As a teacher, I want to be able to implement these types of technologies in my classroom, but first I need to know how to use them appropriately and effectively.
I hope to gain practice in the area of blogging. I have never had my own blog before, and it is interesting to actually have one. If I want to use blogs in the future with my class, I first need to be able to say that I have used one before and know how to use it. I also hope to gain many more much needed tools and discover ways to use them in a way to benefit my students and promote their learning. I feel that is important that I do this because I want to be an effective teacher someday. My goal is to aid students as much as possible in their learning processes, and I feel like keeping up with a blog and staying up to date on technology is the best way I can achieve that.
I hope to gain practice in the area of blogging. I have never had my own blog before, and it is interesting to actually have one. If I want to use blogs in the future with my class, I first need to be able to say that I have used one before and know how to use it. I also hope to gain many more much needed tools and discover ways to use them in a way to benefit my students and promote their learning. I feel that is important that I do this because I want to be an effective teacher someday. My goal is to aid students as much as possible in their learning processes, and I feel like keeping up with a blog and staying up to date on technology is the best way I can achieve that.
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