I need to continue to work on NETS-T standard 2a, "design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity" while incorporating my GAME plan. This week my goal was to incorporate technology into the teaching of my ellipse lesson. In the past, I would just teach the formulas and try to explain how the foci, the directrix and the ellipse all worked together. Yesterday, my first class went to the computer lab and created their own ellipse using the Geometers Sketchpad (GSP). I typed up a list of directions and just let them at it. It was fun to watch. As partners, they needed to follow directions, one reading while the other was manipulating the computer, both watching the creation unfold. There were a variety of creations formed.
All groups felt successful, however. Not all created an ellipse, but were able to look at another group's. A couple of groups moved along quickly and I could ask enrichment questions and keep them delving deeper. By the time the entire class went back to the classroom, all felt that they knew what an ellipse was, felt that they had created something, and that they had a good time. They were now ready for the formulas and math that came along with the shapes.
I felt that I took action by using technology in an area that was new to me. I spent time with a fellow math teacher who had used this program often, and worked together to come up with plan for my class. I monitored their interaction with the program as they were using it. But the real evaluation will come when I am working through the formulas with them tomorrow and whether or not the working on the computer really helped them to visualize ellipses, or not. It was a big step and an exciting one though, and I am glad that I tried it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I too have decided to use the human resources in my school to help build my capacity with the NET indicators that I am working on. Although the INternet and other electronic resources are wonderful and very helpful, the human touch is seems to be essential for some people. I hope that you meet success with your class. FHowever, do not be discouraged if they do not. Several of the projects I do with my Language Arts class in the computer lab first met with failure, but with correction and adjustments they are now some of the highlights of the year for both my students and myself.
ReplyDeleteKim:
ReplyDeleteYour collaboration with another teacher on this I think is key. In my school I often see many different and effective ways that teachers are using technology with their students, but often times they do not share this with other teachers. We need to work collaboratively with our colleagues and share our knowledge and successes. Unfortunately, in my state we recently passed legislation that will end up promoting competition among teachers, not collaboration.
Chris-
I love how you incorporated collaborative learning your lesson. I also really liked that the students used their peers to self monitor/evaluate.
ReplyDeleteKim, it sounds like you are on the right path. I have struggled implementing these types of activities in my classroom. I feel I lack the creativity needed because I have not seen these types of activities before. The best thing that I have done so far is collaborated with other teachers in my department at school, some who have began to implement technology and activities that use 21st century skills. These teachers talk about how they have taught some lessons in the past, and I have even began to use some of their lessons in my class. These have given me ideas on how to create some of these lessons for other units I am teaching. I feel some of my colleagues are very creative, and by working with them, I am beginning to have an idea of how to create the types of activities that will help my students in the future.
ReplyDelete