Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Technology usage in math education
Use of technology in the mathematics classroom
Technology usage in math education
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Technology usage in math education
There are many different ideas as to how technology
should be used in the mathematical classroom of today.
There are those who believe that students will not learn as
much if they use technology such as computers and
calculators, and there are still others that believe this
technology can benefit students if used in the proper way.
After reading many articles on the use of technology in the
mathematical classroom, I have to agree with NCTM’s
Technology Principle, which states that “technology is
essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it
influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances
students’ learning” (Principles 24).
What the Technology Principle is not saying that some
may interpret is that students will not have to learn how
to solve problems on their own. The way I see it, the
principle is telling us the very opposite of this. We all
know as future teachers and current students ourselves,
that we must understand the applications and why we do them
to really understand mathematics. In other words, we
cannot just memorize the steps of application and plug it
into our calculator, but rather we must understand why the
steps were done and what our results mean. After the
students have shown that they understand the material and
applications, the teacher may allow his or her students to
use the calculator once the applications have become
tedious for the students. For example, if we asked a group
of Calculus students to find the maximum of a line, we
would not expect them to graph the function by hand and try
to guess where the point is, we would instead promote them
to use their calculators to find the best estimate of the
point. So, even in cases such as this, technology can be
used to further demonstrate the reasoning behind a problem.
It may be the case that we want our students to work on the
application, and then again it may be the case that we want
our students to be able to see what they are doing the
application for. The only thing we really have to be
careful of is not to let technology replace the “basic
understandings and intuitions” (Principles 25).
Technology can be a great tool for teaching
mathematics because we can show and manipulate visual form
with such programs as The Geometer’s Sketchpad and many
others. Programs such as these help students to visualize
problems, and can also help teachers better explain the
mathematical concepts. One of the questions we hear a lot
in mathematics is “why?” I can even remember teachers
struggling to answer these questions with their crude
drawings on the board or their wordy explanations.
Over the past few decades, technology has advanced significantly. The use of calculators, computers, and other techniques in many fields has increased. On a large scale, technology is replacing traditional methods of instruction in the field of education. Many people believe that adopting technology in the learning process can increase productivity. However, David Gelernter, a professor at Yale University and a leading figure in the field of technology, suggests limiting the use of technology in the classroom in his article “Unplugged: The Myth of Computers in the Classroom,” published in the New Republic magazine in 1994.
...ts work on the lessons independently or with a preservice teacher by using manipulatives or other mathematical tools it will allow them to fully grasp the concept that is being taught so they can do well in the long run of learning more complex mathematics.
All children learn differently and teachers, especially those who teach mathematics, have to accommodate for all children’s different capacities for learning information. When teaching mathematics, a teacher has to be able to use various methods of presenting the information in order to help the students understand the concepts they are being taught.
We live in an age of technology. Like it or not, technology is quickly changing the way people access information, communicate, and learn. So with this new tool in just about everyone’s hands, why shouldn’t schools use technology to provide better education to students'? Schools should keep in mind the type of technology, the future of human interactions, and the high quality of learning provided by tech. The world is ever becoming smaller thanks to technology.
For the teacher, computer technology can lead to more efficient time management in record keeping and developing lessons plans as well as the ease of conducting any kind of research and communication without having to leave the classroom.
Some say that technology is a distraction and hinders the students from fully learning and developing important skills that they claim only the interactions with the teacher can provide. Teachers have said that technology is a powerful tool that allows them to introduce and demonstrate learning activities in a completely new way. It has been studied and proven that most kids are more motivated and interested in the concepts they are supposed to learn when the teaching tool of technology is used. A fifth grade teacher stated, “Technology is the ultimate carrot for students. It's somet...
With the rapid growth of technology in America’s society today, the use of computers in school classrooms has increased tremendously—an action that certainly has become beneficial to students, educators, and parents. The use of computers has positively skyrocketed over the past ten years. Not only are computers utilized daily in large companies across the world, but the everyday use in classrooms has also become prevalent. Using modern technology to assist school instructors with his or her daily lessons should definitely be regarded as a positive, acceptable method of instruction and not definitely does not prohibit students from understanding or critical thinking.
However, technology should never substitute the fundamental learning in our educational systems. Specifically, in primary school, building a firm fundamental education is crucial. Seeing children still using fingers to do simple math in second grade is not a good sign of academic improvement. Though the students may easily figure out the answers by using a calculator, before letting the children get any closer to these technical gadgets, they have to first learn to figure out the answers themselves.... ... middle of paper ... ...
In 2009, around 97 percent of classrooms had one or more computer, while 54 percent could bring computers into the classroom. Internet access was available for 93 percent of the computers, and the ratio of students to computers in the classroom was 5.3 to 1 (“Educational” par.1). Just four years ago, technology was an increasingly important tool in education. The benefits of technology are always changing and improving. The use of computer labs has evolved into every student having access to their own personal hand-held device or laptop. Because of this, teachers have new ways to provide information and can change the way they teach. More hands on interaction is present when the students can find the information on their own using these devices. Many new techniques such as the flipped classroom are emerging trends that are used in our school and many others. Schools all across the United States are slowly moving away from the traditional method of pencil and paper learning. Taking notes on a computer in school or even at home is gaining popularity. Technology should be used in education because it makes learning faster and easier, gives students an opportunity to learn more information that may not be provided by textbooks and allows students to immerse themselves in technology at an early age.
Mathematics teachers teach their students a wide range of content strands – geometry, algebra, statistics, and trigonometry – while also teaching their students mathematical skills – logical thinking, formal process, numerical reasoning, and problem solving. In teaching my students, I need to aspire to Skemp’s (1976) description of a “relational understanding” of mathematics (p. 4). Skemp describes two types of understanding: relational understanding and instrumental understanding. In an instrumental understanding, students know how to follow steps and sequential procedures without a true understanding of the mathematical reasons for the processe...
... a sense of accomplishment, something they cannot get through direct instruction alone. This sense of accomplishment will raise their mathematical self-esteem. This can, in turn, help students appreciate and enjoy mathematics even more. Few would argue against the idea that any teaching strategy that gets students to believe in themselves and enjoy the subject is a good one.
Furthermore, the learning process is easily enhanced when technology is used. First, with Internet access in each classroom, it allows the teacher to access massive amounts of information in just a few seconds. This information can be given to the students in a clear, easy to read format as it is projected onto the screen. With such easy access to information, students are able to learn more in a smaller time span, while teachers are able to be more efficient in how they teach. This makes the education a person gets from their school more valuable for their money; and money is important as college costs continue to rise.
Technology properly used in the classroom has many advantages to a student’s learning. Technology can help students become more involved in their own learning process, which is not seen in the traditional classroom. It allows them to master basic skills at their own rate rather than being left behind. Teachers and students alike can connect to real life situations by using technology in the classroom; this can also help to prepare students for real world situations. Technology can be used to motivate students as well as to offer more challenging opportunities. It can also be used as a visualization tool to keep students interested in the subject that is being taught. When technology is used effectively, students have the opportunity to develop skills that they may not get without the use of technology (Cleaver, 2011). Assessing and monitoring students is easier on the teacher because of the ability to use technology in the classroom. When technology is used correctly it offers limitless resources to a classroom atmosphere.
I believe that the growing role of mathematics, science and technology in modern life demands that we, for our active participation in society, personal satisfaction and our working development we should not only be able to read and write but also, have the skills and knowledge in these areas. Before doing the readings I thought that being scientific and mathematic literal was to be able to solve math and science problems. My opinion changed drastically after reading each article and book on my reference list. Now I believe that it’s not only to be able to solve problems, but that being Scientific and Mathematic literal is to be able to communicate with others in our or in different areas of study, to think on the nature of a subject and work
Technology has many different effects on education, one of them being enhancing the students learning. Technology may enhance the students learning and may assist most students in achieving their academic standards. When technology and appropriate teaching methods are combined, technology may increase the academic achievement. Positive effects have been found in all major subject areas, from preschool to higher education, both regular and special needs students. Educational technology has been found to have a positive effect on a student’s attitude toward learning and on self-concepts. The introduction of technology into the learning environment has allowed the learning to be more student-centered, to encourage group learning, and helps to stimulate an increase in the student-teacher interaction. Technology has shown a shift from a focus on a student’s memorization to their problem solving. Through technology’s use, learning opportunities have become unrestricted by time or place, allowing lifelong learning. Student use of technology through communications can also help to enhance access to a career and continued education. Students are more likely to use a computer to get help because they can to it themselves. Technology is helping students to become independent.