Math, technology, education, and beyond

As more teachers incorporate blogs, wikis, and other Web 2.0 into the classroom, there will be situations that arise where someone will post something that probably shouldn’t be posted. These things do happen. It is important that as educators, we continue to educate both ourselves and our students about what the blog should be for. If a mistake is made and a student spouts off on something they really should keep out of the classroom, please remind that student why the blogs are being used. Be firm, be understanding, and try to make sure the student is aware of what was wrong. For the most part, blogs will be used in an appropriate manner. But when a problem arises, just like anywhere else in education, make sure that it is dealt with in a proper way. I have always felt that we need to learn from our mistakes. It is how I teach my math classes: when you make a mistake, figure out what you did wrong so you know not to make the same mistake again. This is also a great lesson for life, although sometimes there are bigger consequences. I always remind students that when they get in trouble, it’s not because we don’t like them (like many of them think), but because we want them to be able to make better decisions in the future.

I am now using classblogmeister.com in my classes. I am slowly incorporating it into my Integrated Math II and Math for Standards classes. I am looking at introducing it into my Advanced Algebra class next week. The students really like the fact that they can each give their opinions and views on concepts or things we are doing in class, and that they can have a conversation with each other through the comments. As a teacher, I like the fact that I have to approve comments and blog posts before they make it to the web. I try to allow the students to converse as they normally would in class. I’ve had to not approve a few comments here and there, but kids for the most part are completing their posts in an appropriate way.

Okay, they’re not really toys, but I get the same excitement…

What am I talking about? Today, I went into our new school building (dedication this Sunday at 2 PM, open for classes April 16) to get trained on using our new interactive whiteboards. While setting up, my tech director and I both learned some new things about them. But the best part was just getting the walk-and-talk remote in my hand and learning it. I glanced at the manual, but what I really wanted to do was just play (and by play, I mean learn it by trying it out). I was so excited about using it. I will be running a demo of the whiteboard (and overall CFF classroom) on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see the reactions of the community and students who attend. I know I am totally enthusiastic about the new education….I hope it rubs off on others.

Okay, here it is again: “We need to be doing such-and-such.” Right now, we are in a discussion about the 21st Century Skills (basically). I feel like we shouldn’t be discussing this anymore. We are in the position to be making the changes, and we need to start making these changes. Some of the articles we’re reading now, I’ve already read! Yes, I know that we need to change for the 21st century. I’ve heard all of this between the reading I do as part of my position, as readings I’ve had to do in my Master’s program, and in readings we’ve had in CFF “training.” I get it! When do we get together and not just say, “This is what this is. That is what that is,” but instead say, “Here is what we are doing to make this change.”

One of my colleagues in here brought up the fact that we can model these different skills, but if we take too big a step, the teachers just don’t use those skills! True, teachers do not have enough time to do all the things they already have to do. But education as it is will not survive! It needs to change! This is an idea that must be embraced among all parts of education: teachers, administration, students, parents, government…each and every part has to become a part of the revolution!

“Why should I ask my students about what I should teach?” “You want to get input from students as to how I should teach?”

Why is it that teachers think they know everything? Now, we are quite knowledgeable in our content areas, and we have been effective for quite some time. But the same methods do not always work for all students. I know that I start out my school year teaching one way, but I always have to adjust as I get a feel for how my different classes work. They all have different personalities and different learning styles. Isn’t this the reason that professors pass out surveys at the end of a course? So they can get feedback to improve? Why is it that high school teachers don’t use this method?

I came across the following website: Student Voices. It gives a few brief statements about what kids want out of education, and provides some links to support the idea that we need to listen to these students. After all, aren’t the students the reason we teach?

First, you should read Will Richardson’s post.

If you had this chance, what would you ask? What would you say? I don’t think that there would ever be enough time to get everything out about what we think about moving education to the 21st Century. I know that I would ask that we move away from all of the standardized tests so that we can actually aim at working on topics that embrace the 21st century skills. Let the math and science teachers instill a sense of wonderment into their classrooms again (and English teachers, as well). Too much time is spent getting ready for the PSSA’s and “remediating” students. I don’t like that word. It’s like there is something wrong with our students and we need to fix it. We don’t. We need to fix education.

I lost my train of thought there for a moment. I had to get some of my coaching done. I love my new position as CFF coach. I get to collaborate with other teachers and help them create lessons that allow the students to be creative in class. I wish more teachers would take advantage of what we have and are getting. It will come.

Back to the real discussion: What would I say to a US Senator if they wanted my input as to how to go about making changes in education? I would probably do what Will Richardson is doing and ask people for input. So, please offer your input to Will on his blog. Hopefully we can make the necessary changes.

This sounds like something our government would do…

For those of you who don’t know, The Onion is a satirical site, so don’t get too excited over this.

If you’re not reading Will Richardson’s Weblogg-ed, you should. In a post from yesterday, he talked about Angus King, the former governor of Maine. The discussion focused on Maine’s 1:1 Laptop Initiative and its impact on education. It is so important that we as teachers can focus on the “21st Century Skills.” I think this is going to be the next big catchphrase in education.

It is great that schools are getting all of this technology. But are we using it correctly? If everyone is getting a laptop just to type up a paper, then we may as well just forget it. We need to harness the power that computers will give us in the schools. There is an interactivity that exists not just between a student and software, but between student and student and between student and teacher that has never before existed. Students have more access to more information than ever before. Students have the ability to contact an author or mathematician or scientist or anyone else!

As we are switching over to a more technology-based education, it is important, as Will Richardson says, to remember that “the program isn’t about technology, it’s about learning.”

Does anyone know how much information is out there? Will anyone ever be to say for sure whether a certain site is perfect for them to find info? I know there are millions upon millions of websites that are out there, and I know I will only ever see a small fraction of them. So how much information am I actually missing? How much information is being looked-over or past by my colleagues and students? How can I help them access these sites?

These questions helped me to look at websites that are out there and collect them in one central place. That’s where my Helpful Websites page comes in. I designed this site as part of my position as Classrooms for the Future coach for Annville-Cleona. It is currently a bit math-heavy, as I am also a math teacher. As more sites are funneled to me from my colleagues, I will be updating the site as necessary.

I know there are sites that I will be looking at using once I get into my “smart” classroom. I am really excited about what I will be able to do with my students, especially once all of my equipment is ready.