Technology in a Math Classroom

Technology in a Math Classroom

Today we talked about numerous ways in which we can incorporate technology into our lessons. Most of my math classes were just straight lectures, with little visuals, hands on equipment or technology, and I truly believe I missed out. I missed out because my teachers were more concerned with the fact that we could get the right answer, and they didn't have a strong focus on truly understanding why we were doing what the formula said. However, my brain does not work like that. Sure I can follow formulas for the semester that I need, but then the concepts, along with the formulas, vanish from my head. This is not ideal ! However, I found A LOT of the technology and games we did in class made me have to think about why I do what I do. For starters, I loved the website "desmos.com". It contained so many pre-made, FREE games for all sorts of different math concepts. Although we started with a "guess who" type of activity on the site (which was fun), I kept looking and discovered the game Marble Slide, which I found fantastic ! It has different stars placed on the screen, and a sample graph with the graphs equation. The student then has to change the equation, to change the shape of the graph, in order to be able to hit all the stars following the curve with a marble that is dropped from the top. It reminded me of a game I used to play on long car rides called "cut the rope." Anyways, what I loved about the marble game, was that it was fun, interactive, and a great visual. It allows students to see in real-time, what different manipulations to a graph equation, does to a graph. It challenges them to know what they need to change, in order to hit all the stars. However, its all random, so they won't be changing the maximum for 5 questions in a row, then changing the width for the next 5 questions, which I found to be the case when I was in high school following a textbook. It makes them think critically and understand all aspects of a graph. However, it also gives you unlimited tries, so it allows them to experiment and see what different parts of the equation are for, without embarrassing them. As well, I believe it would encourage students to want to learn, as the more they know, they faster they can complete levels. It also allows them to practice math, perhaps without them even realizing how long they are doing it for.

Below is the first screen the students get:

Below is the fixed equation and graph, as well as the marbles being launched to see if all the stars will be hit:

Although there were numerous other games and examples, I don't want to drag on. All in all, I believe that technology should be incorporated into math classes. Not everyone learns the same, so visuals, kinesthetics, and games are important. If we can get students to understand why things are the way they are, or even to just enjoy math class, then I think that is a big success ! What are your thoughts on technology in a classroom? Should it be avoided, slowly incorporated, or fully embraced?
That's all for now !
Miss Sydor