Computer Tests are not cool!!!!

How can I get students to try as hard on a computer test as on a pencil and paper test? For many it may seem like a stupid question: kids will try just as hard on any test, it doesn't matter if its on a computer or not. Well, I for one can assure you that this is not the case. The students hold a mouse in one hand, and thus do not even think to put a pencil in the other when it is time to get down and show some work. The most common question I hear is: Mr. Simon, which problems do I need to show work for? My answer is to tell them to show your work for any question that needs work shown.

I have seen how well they do on paper test compared to computer tests and I just do not get the difference in scores. Once I figure out how to conquer this dilemma I need to answer the question of, "How do I get my students to try harder on a multiple choice test?"

How do students use technology?

This is a simple question, and I think the answer is even more simple, especially for myself. Students, outside of school, use technology in the exact same way as I do: to stay connected with friends/family members. This includes the rampant use of text messages, cell phone calling, Facebook, and online gaming, to name a couple uses.

The more difficult question I need to answer is: How can I capture this addiction and use it in math class efficiently and effectively? The two key words are, of course, efficiently and effectively. The benefits of using the technology need to outweigh the previous norms combined with planning time and implementation time.

I have thought about this question since the first day of the E2T2 program, and I have yet to find an answer. I have brainstormed endlessly about blogs and wikis, but in no way was it feasible to take the time to teach and have the students create, especially since we went all the way up to the final week with curriculum responsibilities. The other idea was through the Ipod touches, but this did not work due to the inability to download apps on our school network and through our district user name.

So I end this year at a lost. And I begin this summer with apprehension about how I can make some changes next year. Wish me luck.

End of the Year!!!

The end of the year is upon us, and, oh, has it been an interesting year. I feel I have made extensive growth in my ability to teach and my knowledge of how to teach, and I also have learned many new techniques that will me and my students in the years to come.

There is one thing that I still need to strive to get better in, and that is the use of technology as an effective tool in the classroom. Currently, geometry class is centered around the use of Geometers Sketchpad, and algebra uses graphing programs to help supplement linearity, but pre-algebra needs it much more. And pre-algebra is the class that would benefit most from this all. These are the students that already have a disdain for math class, whether it be based upon ability or the inability to organize themselves enough to grow. Technology, to these kids, would be a natural motivator.

So for the upcoming year, I am making a resolution to seek out extra resources and tools for these students to use. I am not speaking of blogs or wikis, but of CBR's and pressure sensors, tools that the students will use to be active in learning the concepts. The poor part to this is that all of the things that are truly able to allow these kids to grow can be extremely expensive.

Technology Over Spring Break

So I am currently trying to plan my technology unit, and, man, is it tough. Doing single lessons has proven to be easy and effective for all of my classes, but now, once I am really getting down to the unit planning I did not know how much work it was going to take. Not only that, I don't really know if it's going to be worth all the work. I have the Touches at my disposal, and also the graphing calculators on each of them. This would be easy to incorporate for two to three lessons, but over the course of one week or even two, it is proving to be difficult. I will just keep working, and if it doesn't go to plan than I can hopefully have an effective 3-4 day lesson using the Ipod Touches.

Classroom Response Systems...

Also known as CRS are excellent tools to use with these IPOD touches. I have blogged about poll everywhere in the past, but after seeking out other options I don't know if it is the best. Granted, Poll Everywhere is free software, but it is difficult to patrol and also is has a lengthy process to enter answers. There are some apps in the store that fix both of these problems but run upwards of $100. I just can't find any way to justify spending that money for only 1/3 of the year, and not only that, using them only a couple times per class.

I am still open to new ideas on how to use these things for my pre-algebra class. I need to find some soon. They have found them sitting in my room and ask about them everyday. The pressure they put on me is amazing...and the funny part is that it is coming mainly from the kids who already own IPOD touches.

CSAP is OVER!!!!!

Now it's just time to sit back and relax for the remainder of the year....


Ya right! I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and really trying some methods to keep these 8th graders motivated until the final day. I am looking forward to helping the algebra students prep for their high school final exam, and am looking forward to helping the geometry kids continue on their excelled path in the math curriculum. There isn't a day, an hour, a minute, or a second to take off until that final bell rings on the last day of school. And I love it.

The toughest part is to keep the pre-algebra kids motivated. After CSAP they see little reason to keep learning and have already checked out for the last third of the year (and that only includes the kids who were giving 100% effort for the first part of the year). Granted, they still have NWEA at the end of the year as well as a final, but those can only go so far. My main tool for motivation and engagement with these kids....using the IPOD touches.  

CSAP

Tomorrow we start CSAP. It is always a stressful time for the teachers and students alike. This, however, begs the question, is the stress that some of the students feel over this worthwhile? On a classroom test/quiz, they have a vested interest to do well, as their grade and status for future classes rests on it. CSAP, on the other hand, holds no incentive for these kids to do well. The only people that benefit from this are the teachers and administrators. I understand that the system won't change, but it probably should.