Olivia+McNeil

Introduction
Hi! I am a senior studying Mathematics Teaching at Clemson University. Once I graduate I would like to teach at a high school in either North or South Carolina. I would also like to become certified to teach middle school and obtain my Master's Degree.

1. Wiki Page

Current Beliefs
I think technological aids are extremely useful in helping students understand math. For instance, it can help keep them see how mathematics is used in real life. It can also allow students to learn the material in a new and different way allowing them to better understand the content. Using technology in math can also be a way to teach students useful skills that they can use throughout their lives.

Former Teachers' Use of Technology
In my math classes, the most common type of technology used was a calculator. However, some of my classes wouldn't allow students to use calculators at all. In my high school Pre-Calculus class, we used a device similar to iClickers to respond to questions posed in class. For example, we would review our homework in this manner. In a few of my college classes, we have used computers and graphing software to visualize the functions we were studying.

My Experiences with Technology
I have used SmartBoards for activities in my college courses, and I have also used one to teach a high school lesson. Like I mentioned previously, I have used computer software to visualize functions. I've also utilized Geometer's Sketchpad to work with concepts in geometry. In addition, I've become extremely familiar with the Casio Prizm and it's capabilities. In one of my courses, we used this calculator throughout the semester.

2. Online Assessment Tools
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[|Internet Poll]

Benefits and Challenges for this Technology
The benefits of using Poll Everywhere or other voting websites is that they allow for quick feedback. People can easily answer your question(s) by texting their vote or visiting your link. It also displays the results in an easy to read chart. The challenges of this technology is that the answers are anonymous. If teachers are using this website, then they can't tell which students are struggling with the content; they can only see the number of wrong answers. Also, students have to either have access to a phone or the Internet to provide their feedback.

Using this Technology in My Future Class
I think I wouldn't use this type of technology very often in my class. If most of my students had access to the Internet outside of school, then I might ask them to answer polls periodically to check their learning. Otherwise, I think it would be more beneficial to have students answer a short quiz on the material we've covered. Thus, I would know which students were struggling with the material.

3. Video Recording
I found an example of a [|math video]that could be used in the classroom. It explains how to solve a word problem by estimating. The problem consists of 4 numbers that must be rounded and then added together. The video walks through the steps slowly so that viewers can follow easily. I enjoyed this video because it reinforced adding skills and explained estimation well. By using an example to teach this skill, it allows students to solidify their learning. They can also work along with the problem and make sure they understand the concept.

4. Microsoft Mathematics 4.0


a) I don't think I will use Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 in my classroom. I don't think I'll have access to a computer lab on a regular basis so it will be hard for me to use this technology in my classroom. I also think it would be difficult to make sure that students didn't use the computer to access other material online during class. It would be challenging to monitor all of the students in a lab. If I had access to computers for my class, then I think this would be a good tool to use with my students. They wouldn't have to purchase calculators and would be able to solve equations and analyze graphs.

b) I think this would be a great tool for students to use to help them with homework. For instance, they could check their answers after solving a system of linear equations. If they didn't get the answer right they could look at the solution steps and see where they went wrong. That way students won't make the same mistake twice. I think this is the best way for students to use this type of tool.

c) If I were a student using this software, I would probably think math was more fun. It's really neat to be able to use this technology to solve equations and explore graphs. With access to this software, I could examine more mathematical concepts. I would also be able to get extra help with topics that I struggle with. For example, if I don't understand how to solve problems involving complex numbers I could examine the solutions steps within Microsoft Mathematics 4.0. This would help me see where I make mistakes and how to fix them.

5. Smart Board Math Tools
I explored the Smart Exchange website and found an interesting [|lesson] entitled "Writing Equations" that relates to my unit plan. The standard for this lesson was the South Carolina standard IA-1.5: Demonstrate an understanding of algebraic relationships by using a variety of representations (including verbal, graphic, numerical, and symbolic.

This Smart Board lesson involved a description of how to write equations from a word problem. It provides examples and shows students how to interpret the words and write them in a number and equation form. The notebook file contains answers for each example but hides them to the side so students have time to explore the problems. At the end students can play a "game" to test their knowledge of the Four Step Problem Solving Plan.

This lesson is different than a traditional lecture because it allows for student input. The "game" at the end is a way for students to interact during the lesson and it allows the teacher to assess the students' learning. The lesson also has a built in timer for the warm-up activity. This is a great way for teachers to make sure that they follow through with their plans and don't spend too much time on a problem. Since the answers are provided to the side it allows teachers to go over answers with students faster than during a traditional lecture.

If you used Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 to teach this lesson, it would be difficult to accomplish. For example, Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 can help students while solving equations and problems but it can't write equations for students. Students must first learn how to write equations from given word problems before solving them. Therefore, in this lesson it is better to utilize a Smart Board lesson instead of Microsoft Mathematics 4.0.

Students may have difficulty when they have to work independently during this lesson. For example, the extra practice on the fifth page is tricky. It asks for students to write an equation for "nine times a number subtracted from 95 equals 37. Students may think that the equation is written in the exact order as the sentence. Thus they would incorrectly write 9n - 95 = 37. The teacher would need to emphasize the importance of reading each problem carefully. Thus technology wouldn't be needed to solve this problem. Students would just have to take their time when writing equations.

6. GeoGebra
a) Yes, I believe that dynamic mathematics environments can contribute greatly to students' learning. For example, using GeoGebra to show the graph of the derivative of a function is really helpful for students. It allows them to vizualize the concept. I think if I could've utilized this technology when I was in Calculus I would have really been able to understand the concept better.

b) GeoGebra and Geometer's Sketchpad both allow teachers to create dynamic worksheets for lessons. I think that GeoGebra is easier to use with functions and creating sliders for these functions. For me, Geometer's Sketchpad was easier to use to create polygons and measure angles. Often in GeoGebra, I can create polygons but when I try to measure angles it measures them on the outside instead of the inside. I think that Geometer's Sketchpad is more user friendly in this area. Also, it is extremely easy and user friendly in each software program to create text.