Mathematics with Technology

Judy Chandler, technology integration specialist, mathematics teacher, and math mentor/trainer for the Main Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI)

Mathematics with Technology #1

Some teachers are reluctant to embrace technology in their classroom. Teachers have varying excuses as to why. Technology is essential in today's learning environment. Technology brings many tools to the world of math. For example, technology provides manipulative learning, differentiated learning, immediate feedback, and alternative ways to demonstrate learning. Teachers provide their students with a multi-sensory math learning environment and gain valuable instructional time when they embrace all of the possibilities that technology has to offer.


Thinking Mathematically #2

Some students get bored learning math when going through the book chapter by chapter and fall behind the rest of their class. Others memorize the work. As Dr. Strange calls it Burp Back Education, you memorize it, use it, and then forget it. Neither of these students think mathematically. With today's technology resources students have hands on experience like never before, differentiated instruction, real-world experience, and tools that offer alternative ways to demonstrate learning. To think mathematically, students must explore, connect ideas, investigate, observve patterns, argue, prove, model, play "what if", apply and reflect. Teachers must challenge all students to think, really think this way they will remember.


As a teacher I will embrace technology and podcasting into my classroom. I will challenge my students with challenging, critical thinking questions. I will engage and challenge my students through the use of technology. I do not believe in memorizing information because it is forgotten soon after it is used. I believe in a multi-sensory approach to teaching and therefore learning. This ensures deeper concept development and lifelong skills for our students to use later in life.

I also find these podcasts useful to me as a teacher because if I need help with a specific subject or content, I can look at reliable sources on iTunes for information. I also think that it is important to constantly change the way we teach in the classroom. I plan to continue my education even after I graduate to offer my students the best possible education available to them.