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.

Poll Everywhere Breakthrough!

I figured it out!!!!! Now all I need is to get the classroom set of IPOD touches to implement this awesome software! I. am. excited.

Testing Using Technology

Today was a day that was dedicated to our online testing obligation known as Acuity. I really have no idea what to think about this. The program was created by the same company that makes the CSAP, however, I see no relationship between the questions that are asked and the questions that are on the CSAP. This goes for both the released items as well as the items I see when I am walking around the room monitoring the CSAP testing. I am an honest teacher and do not incorporate the unreleased items into my class, however, I would think that this company would try to be a little more accurate with its testing questions so my kids will be a tad more prepared.

I also am somewhat disheartened by the fact that I give up over a week of instruction time over the course of the year (before CSAP) giving these tests. And then I have no idea what they are getting out of this. All I am seeing is that, according to the test, only about 1/3 of the kids will be proficient. That is the same case with the Benchmark testing last year. Frustrating to say the least.

Technology at Basketball Practice

You know, they just about have an app for everything. EVERYTHING!!!!! So, one of the parents of the kids on the team brings out his Iphone, and sure enough he has an app that helps put technology into basketball. It is an app that is an interactive white board. You place the defensive x's and offensive o's anywhere you want on the basketball court and then move them around by using your finger. It works great when you are sitting in the stands and you want to show someone what just happened on the court. I am going to go home and download this thing instantly. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?!?

Some Isometric Drawing Fun

The other day, my pre-algebra class had an excellent learning objective that helped them learn the concepts of surface area and volume. These are two extremely difficult concepts to "get" because you have to picture square units as well as cubic units when speaking of surface area and volume, respectively. In order to fully understand these huge topics, my students looked at isometric drawings and built them using Cuisaniare (sp?) blocks. Using these, the students could visualize the squares on the surface as well as the cubes that make up the volume. I believe it was 100% successful.

Ipad....What is the point?

I am a proud owner of an Ipad....however it is only through the mutual ownership rights gained through marriage. My wife is fortunate to work for a great company that actually rewards their workers for hard work (unlike our good ole ECSD who just puts up a front and shafts everyone possible). Due to her hard work they presented her with a brand spanking new Ipad. Now after playing around with it for weeks, and downloading as many apps as I financially could, I have come to realize there is just one burning question about this thing....What the heck is the point of it?

Poll Everywhere

Wow. This has to be the most confusing thing in the world. I just spent 2 hours trying to figure out how to send in messages without a cell phone. It says right on the website that you can do this with any device that is connected to the internet, but how? It is very frustrating because I am soon going to get some Ipod touches to use in my class and this would be an excellent website to incorporate...if I could just figure it out.

What makes it even worse is that I have had ideas stewing in my mind as soon as I heard about Poll Everywhere. Then I went to the website and got even more excited because of all the options that I could have....it just so happens that unless your students have a cellular device it is not easy to use at all. If anyone knows how to help me please do, because I really want to use this site in my class!

Geometers Sketchpad!

Geometers Sketchpad has to be one of the most efficient and productive learning tools available for my 8th grade geometry class. Last week we went into the lab to study the areas of parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids using this program. We were able to manipulate the shapes using a simple drag tool to see that as long as the base and altitude of a shape stays the same, then the area will also be the same. This is quite a difficult concept to grasp, and even more of a difficult concept to picture, but Sketchpad does a wonderful job of allowing the students to quickly and easily develop an understanding.

I really feel like every lesson could be taught using this program. However, teaching planning time and lab availability would make this extremely difficult. What if the students all had laptops, or IPads???? Man, oh man, the possibilities would then be endless. (I would still have to somehow think of ways to incorporate that technology into my other classes though.)