MathCast Project

MathCasts by students using constructivist learning methods

Naomi Fractions

Jaimie, Ellen and Naomi’s Algebra MathCast

Naomi and Tracy

Carson and Quinn

Student Questionaire/Interview Documents:

Dakota

1. What did you enjoy about the project?

I enjoyed the project very much because using technology is very interesting in different ways. This project made me enjoy the way I use Jing and how it takes time to understand it in a neat way.

2. What did you not enjoy abut the project?

Their weren’t many things I didn’t enjoy about Jing at all actually. Things were really cool instead of disappointing.

3. How did the tools improve your leaning in math?

Jing actually helped me in math learning because I could understand the work better and I got ti improve my learning.

4. In what ways did the tools make you think about your learning in math?

The tools made me get better at writing with the portable pen and pad which helped me make the work easier.

Ted

1. What did you enjoy about the project?

I like the pen and pad. It was so much fun and I would buy one.

2. What did you not enjoy about the project?

The thing I did not like was that it would be very slow and it would get frustrating.

3. How did the tools imporve your learning in Math?

It helped me because I would learn things twice and now I know more than before.

4. In what ways did the tools make you think about your learning in Math?

It did not do anything that made me think about what I am doing.

Stefan

1. What did you enjoy about the Project?

This project had a lot of things fun in it. One in particular was that you got to use very cool equipment which is the pen and pad. Another thing was the recording. It was vunny to hear your own voice talk back to you.

2. What did you not enjoy?

There was only one thing I did not enjoy which was that sometimes it was sort of hard to catchup, although I thought I managed it quite well.

3. How did the tools improve your learning in Math?

They improved my learning in several different ways. Such as getting really good at the topic and understanding it better. The big one though was that it made you know what you were talking about so you could speak in a flow and not have to pause and think.

4. In what way did these tools make you think about your learning in Math?

These tools made math a fun activiity. I would always look forward to doing math so I could share my way of learning with the class. They also made me think about checking my math work a lot more because you always have an error womewhere in the work.

Interview with L.A.C teacher who works with students who need help with math in my class:

1.       In what capacity do you work with Ted?

Ted came to Ridgeview at the beginning of this school year and was quickly brought to my attention as he is on an I.E.P. His specific areas of need are organization, fine motor skills, perseverance to task, effort when tasks are difficult. He is quite emotional when triggered, and has difficulty making connections with people of authority and making connections with reading and writing.

2.       Based on your observations of Ted using the digital tools, how would you say his learning has benefitted in Math?

The tools have benefited his learning through motivation, reflection, clarity and mastery. He was very focused on figuring out what he had done wrong, taking steps to correct this and then find appropriate language to describe the math process. Reflection is a great skill that will benefit him in all areas. Ted had to reflect on his work, correct it and then explain the whole process using math specific vocabulary.

3.       How would you say Teds meta-cognition in Math has been affected by using the digital tools?

Ted loves computers and is also driven by social situations. The motivation the computer instigated kept him focused and showed him that by trying many times to master something (perseverance) one is eventually successful. The need for voice in this program had James working on his descriptions many times until they were mastered. He knew he wanted it to be right on his presentation and this drove him to complete mastery of the concept.  The tools made him not give up easily.

4.       What is your overall impression of the project on student learning?

It is a very exciting thing to see a student like Ted who has many learning issues and social-emotional issues put such a tremendous effort into a project without feeling overwhelmed, bogged down or frustrated. The success he experienced showed pride and confidence. The computer was a hook to force meta-cognition. The processes made him reflect on his work, improve on it, describe what he is doing, and then do it again. The tools reduced his resistance to learning and showed him how technology can be used to make learning fun. Ted felt very special to be chosen for the project. He is not a student to dedicate himself to school work, but he would often stay into recess or lunch to finish his work.