Choosing and Using Web-Based Learning Tools for the Mathematics Classroom Robin Kay UOIT Oshawa, Canada We will be working from kayuoitpres.wikispaces.comkayuoitpres.wikispaces.com

UOIT Started in Students Laptop based university

Me 1.Taught for over 25 years at high school, college and university level 2.Taught pre-service mathematics IS teachers at UOIT for 10 years 3.Currently the Director of Graduate Studies for our Online Masters of Education program,

UOIT – MEd in Digital Technologies

You 1.Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Secondary 2.Years experience in the classroom 3.Years using technology

Agenda 1.Let’s Talk Technology in the Classroom 2.Web-Based Learning Tools (WBLTs) 3.Types of WBLTs 4.Interactive Concept-Based Tools 5.Finding WBLTs 6.Choosing WBLTs 7.Using WBLTs

One request 1.If you have a question, problem, concern please jump right in at the moment

How often do you use computers in a significant way with your class? significant way To answer, go to: PollEv.com/robin.kay 1. Let’s Talk Technology

What prevents you from using computers with your class?prevents you In pairs, make a short list and post response at todaysmeet.com/WBLT todaysmeet.com/WBLT

2. Web-Based Learning Tools 1.Access ▫Easy access – web-based 2.Time ▫Easy to Learn 3.Software ▫Always up to date / Mostly predictable ▫Targets specific concepts 4.Problems ▫Fewer problems

3. Types of Web-Based Learning Tools Information ToolsProduction ToolsCollaborative ToolsInteractive Concept Based Tools

Web-Based Information Tools 1.Video Podcasts (e.g. Khan, Teacher Tube)Video Podcasts 2.Pinterest (personal resources)Pinterest 3.Scoopit (personal resources)Scoopit 4.Evernotes – Notes & ResourcesEvernotes 5.Diigo – Resource TrackingDiigo For more information go to: kayuoitpres.wikispaces.comkayuoitpres.wikispaces.com

Web-Based Production Tools 1.Google Drive – Create and share documentsGoogle Drive 2.Adobe Voice – iPad PresentationsAdobe Voice 3.Prezi – Presentation softwarePrezi 4.Jing (Snagit, Screencast-o-matic)Jing 5.Concept MapsConcept Maps 6.PadletPadlet 7.TEDEd – Flipped Classroom + VideosTEDEd For more information go to: kayuoitpres.wikispaces.comkayuoitpres.wikispaces.com

Web-Based Collaboration Tools 1.Wikis – Create websites in groupsWikis 2.Google Drive – Create and share documentsGoogle Drive 3.Popplet – Collaborative Mind MapsPopplet 4.Blogs – Comment on anything in groupsBlogs 5.Pirate Pad – Sharing IdeasPirate Pad 6.Google Hangout (Virtual Meeting)Google Hangout 7.TwitterTwitter For more information go to:

4. Web-Based Interactive Tools “Interactive tool that supports the learning of a specific concept”

Activity 1 –Sample Interactive Tools 1.Distance TimeDistance Time 2.Nets, Surface Area, VolumeNets, Surface Area, Volume 3.Go to kayuoitpres.wikispaces.comkayuoitpres.wikispaces.com ▫Sample WBLTs

5. Finding Web-Based Learning Tools Where do you go? 1.Gizmos (free for Grades 7 to 12)Gizmos 2.Interactive Sites for EducationInteractive Sites for Education 3.Math ToolsMath Tools 4.Math WarehouseMath Warehouse 5.nrichnrich 6.NCTM IlluminationsNCTM Illuminations 7.Browse InteractivesBrowse Interactives 8.National Library of Virtual ManipulativesNational Library of Virtual Manipulatives 9.Interactivate (Shodor)Interactivate 10.Desmos & GeogebraDesmosGeogebra

1.Go to kayuoitpres.wikispaces.comkayuoitpres.wikispaces.com ▫Finding WBLTs 2.Find one that you like and explain why 3.Find one that you did not like and explain why Activity 2 – Play and Select WBLT

6. Choosing a WBLT What features do you like? Post at todaysmeet.com/WBLT todaysmeet.com/WBLT What features DON”T you like? Post at todaysmeet.com/WBLT todaysmeet.com/WBLT

Current Research on Choosing WBLTs students 2.3 school boards districts teachers 4.Attitudes & Learning Performance 5.Came up with a list of features that lead to good results …

Features … 1.Easy to use 2.Colour & look 3.Multimedia (Video, Images, Audio) 4.Design (Does it make sense?) 5.Interactivity 6.Context/theme 7.Enhances Learning 8.Instructional Wrap

Final Thoughts on Choosing 1.Unlikely to find the perfect tool 2.You can overcome flaws with a good instruction wrap 3.Ease of use is critical 4.Engagement is a good idea 5.Focus on a specific concept 6.Focus on your Learning Goals

1.Groups of Pick WBLT from kayuoitpres.wikispaces.comkayuoitpres.wikispaces.com 3.Come up with 3 GOOD questions based on your learning goals 4.Post on Padlet at tinyurl.com/wbltpadlettinyurl.com/wbltpadlet Activity 3 – Questions & WBLTs

7. Using WBLTs 1.ContextContext 2.Learning GoalsLearning Goals 3.TinyurlTinyurl 4.Demo (if necessary)Demo 5.Guiding QuestionsGuiding Questions 6.ParticipationParticipation 7.Check learning afterlearning

Context 1.Why are they are using the tool? 2.Why is the concept learned important? 3.What is the big picture? OTHERWISE 1.Students are confused from the start 2.See the WBLT as pointless

Learning Goals 1.Clearly state the learning goal(s) to the students 2.After using this WBLT, you should be able to : OTHERWISE 1.Students can get confused and lost 2.They don’t know what to focus on

Use tinyurl.com or tiny.cc

To Demo or Not to Demo 1.Students like to figure stuff out on their own HOWEVER 1.There may be awkward areas or weird stuff 2.Take 2 minutes to point these out 3.If it take longer than 2 minutes you have the wrong WBLT

Guiding Questions 1.Questions that lead student toward the learning goals and target questions 2.Without clear guiding questions, the WBLT is useless 3.Can take min to create

Participation 1.Individual Use can work well – but should be able to ask questions 2.Pairs work WELL because you have conversation, a second opinion and someone to write down findings – BE CAREFUL 3.Work as a class with LCD ▫Pose questions and have students work in pairs to predict or come up with answers ▫Write prediction down ▫Ask students to work the WBLT, not you

Check for Learning 1.Have students answer questions at the end to see if the learning goals were achieved – Are there any unanswered questions? 2.Critical because there is often a sizeable disconnect between what teachers and students experience

Contact Information Robin Kay: Wiki for this Session: kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com