Benefits of Technology Integration
In this introductory activity, participants will examine and discuss the value
of using technology to teach mathematics content. The appropriate use of
instructional technology tools is integral to the learning and teaching of
mathematics and to the assessment of mathematics learning.
Technology has changed the ways in which mathematics is used and has led to the
creation of new and expanded fields of mathematical study. Thus, technology is
driving change in the content of mathematics programs, in methods for
mathematics instruction, and in the ways that mathematics is learned and
assessed. A vital aspect of such change is a teacher's ability to select and
use instructional technology to develop, enhance, and extend students'
understanding and application of mathematics. (See NCTM Position Statement at
http://www.nctm.org/about/position_statements/position_statement_13.htm.)
Ask participants to consider their own purposes for using technology and to list
three to five reasons they use technology at work or at home. Possible
responses may include communication, entertainment, research, etc.
Next, ask participants to think about the role of technology in mathematics
instruction. Ask participants to describe how technology can integrated into
their instruction by completing the
Teaching with Technology Chart. Participants should be organized into
small groups for this activity. Allow time for each group to share their
responses.
As a follow-up to the small group discussions, have participants to read and
respond to one of the articles listed in the resources section below.
Links to additional research:
NCREL: Teaching and Learning K-8 Mathematics and Science Through Inquiry:
Program Reviews and Recommendations
http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/resource/techno/k8.htm#reviews.
Information on Bloom's taxonomy and differentiation strategies is available at
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/bloom.html.
An ERIC digest with information about differentiating curriculum for gifted
students is available at http://ericec.org/digests/e510.html.
An article on the topic, written by Carol Tomlinson and published in the
September 2000 issue of Educational Leadership, the journal of the
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development is available at
http://www.ascd.org/ed_topics/el200009_tomlinson.html. It provides
concrete and well-researched suggestions for classroom teachers.
Information about special education students may be found at
http://www.halcyon.com/marcs/sped.html.
Information on technology standards and teaching with technology is available at
the ISTE web site:
http://www.iste.org/.