Journal #2: Speaking Math

Journal #2
Speaking Math: Using Chat in the Multicultural Math Classroom" by Janet Graham and Ted Hodgson

This article is about using online discussion tools in multicultural math classes to allow students to discuss math concepts and vocabulary. As the article says the “goal is to encourage students to use mathematical vocabulary to co-construct meaning…and interpret relevant portions of their textbook or lecture notes in terms that make sense to them.”
The article then goes on to give an example of a math chat where student discuss a concept they are covering in class. It shows how the students start by giving basic definitions of the word, but as the discussion goes on you can see how they start to gain a better grasp of what they are talking about. They also begin to talk about the information in terms of broader concepts and applicability. In order to show the benefits of using this technique the authors compared the performance of students in a standard class structure and one that uses a combination of the standard structure and online discussion. The study found that students in the combination class showed a better “use and recognition of math vocabulary terms.”
I like that this article showcases a new and innovative way to help students gain a better understanding and grasp of the concepts. As the article states, this technique will also help English language learners and students who might need more time to compose their thoughts to articulate their responses. I also think that, in times like these where the internet and online technology is often such a large part of the students’ life; incorporating these type of techniques (that they enjoy and can relate to) are a great way to give students another way to show and expand their knowledge.

Questions:
1.) Q: How do you think that you could use this in your class setting?
A: In the article they were teaching about math concepts and terms. I want to teach science and I think that you could do something like; instead of just assigning the students to look up definitions of terms and copy them down, you could assign them a group of words and have them discuss what they mean and their application to the subject that you are learning.

2.) Q: Who do you think will most benefit from this technology tool?
A: This would be the most beneficial to students who need more time to gather and then express their thoughts (like second language learners and learning disabled students.) this would give them the extra time that they need to formulate what they are going to say and it takes some of the stress of having to come up with the answers on the spot in the classroom.

Journal #1: Social Networking

Journal #1
Social Networking for the K-12 Set by Jim Klein

The article, Social Networking for the K-12 Set by Jim Klein, talks about the new web based document sharing and discussion forum called “learning landscapes” (or SUSD Teacher and Student Community sites.) This is basically a project that uses online tools and websites to make social networking tools (ie: blogs, podcast, document sharing, discussion boards, ect.) available to students and teacher so that they can better “communicate, collaborate, learn, share, and grow not only among themselves, but with the community at large.”
The article goes on to discuss some of the ways that this system has been used in schools across the country. The article also talks about the different benefits of this system. Not only is it a great way to improve communication on a number of different levels, but it also establishes a sense of community and has been shown to improve test scores and student achievement.
I found this interesting because I think that the internet and web based applications are the next step in education and they can be a great tool to extend the classroom. I also think that it is a great idea to make a place where everyone has equal access to the programs. While most people have things like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (or similar programs) on their home computer; not everyone has access to video or podcasting software. You would also be able to communicate and interact with fellow students or teacher, not only in your own school district, but throughout the country and even the world.

Questions:
1.) Q: How do you see yourself using these “learning landscapes” in your classroom?
A: I think that this would be a great extension of the classroom discussion. From what I have seen in my observations, the pace of a regular classroom session seems so frantic (especially in a middle school setting) that there does not seem to be nearly enough time for the students to digest and really discuss what they are studying and learning. You could use this to set up something like a discussion board so that the students could share their ideas or to help expand on something that they really found interesting or that they just did not quite get.

2.) Q: What do you think would be your biggest challenge in using this social networking?
A: I think that my biggest challenge would be finding a way to really set up a community that would be truly beneficial to the students. I think that you need to find a way to make it an online community that is truly engaging and interesting for the students, not just another assignment that they had to do. One way that I think that you could do this would be to get some input from the student, ask them what they would be interested in setting up.

Introduction to Me

Hi, my name is Erin. I was born in northern California (in the city of Hayward) and moved to San Diego when I was three. I first attended elementary school at Webster Elementary in downtown SD then, when I was in forth grade, we moved to Rancho Bernardo and I went to Turtleback Elementary. From there I went to Bernardo Heights Middle School and Rancho Bernardo High School. I got my Bachelors from Cal Poly Pomona (which is by LA) and then moved back to Escondido and hope to get my teaching credentials here at CSUSM.

When it comes to technology I would have to say that I am not terribly knowledgeable; I can work with most of the basic programming on my PC (like word and power point) but I can’t get too fancy with anything. When I lived at school, and had a decent internet connection, I was on my computer and the internet almost every day. Now though, since we only have dial-up at home, I see going on the internet as being about step up from having a root canal.

Before this class I had never read the College of Education mission statement so I can safely say that it did not factor into my decision to come to San Marcos. After reading it I would have to say that there are still some parts that I do not completely understand (like what “shared governance” is) but I did find a couple of things to be interesting and important to me; like the part about diversity and lifelong learning. I have always thought that it is important to understand and embrace the different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that we have in our society.