The Pluses and Minuses of Technology in a Math Classroom Madeline Dillner

Excellent article: Thinking (and Talking) About Technology in Math Classrooms, by E. Paul Goldenberg, Education Development Center, Inc.

The Pluses Sometimes math needs movement! (parametric curves, rate of change problems) Sometimes math needs movement! (parametric curves, rate of change problems) 3D representation (planes, rate of change, surface curves, geometry) 3D representation (planes, rate of change, surface curves, geometry) Takes the tediousness away (ratios, adding when it’s not the focus) Takes the tediousness away (ratios, adding when it’s not the focus) Calculator with a bigger screen

The Minuses “Not everything that can be done should be done.” “Not everything that can be done should be done.” “Computers as flashcards” = BAD USE “Computers as flashcards” = BAD USE “Microsoft Word for math” = BAD USE “Microsoft Word for math” = BAD USE Computer is easier, but sometimes it is necessary to do things by hand. (division to get repeating decimals) Computer is easier, but sometimes it is necessary to do things by hand. (division to get repeating decimals) Technology might “replace a capacity that the student might otherwise need to develop.” (log example, slide rules, careful with what technology you choose) Technology might “replace a capacity that the student might otherwise need to develop.” (log example, slide rules, careful with what technology you choose)

Useful Websites – - This is a website about the Abacus, an antiquated calculator. This site it useful because it integrates math, history, and geography for a cross-course experience. – - This is a website full of instructional videos for concepts in algebra, geometry, algebra II, trigonometry, precalculus, and calculus. – - This is an online 3D graphing calculator. 3D graphs can be almost impossible to imagine for some students and this program will make it a little easier. – - This site has pretty much everything that is relevant to teaching math. They have lists of conferences, books, research papers, and articles geared specifically towards teachers of mathematics. – - Informational site about The Geometer’s Sketchpad, the winner of the 2010 ComputED award for best educational software in the category “high school math tools.”