In my mind, this was a great use of technology!
Recently, I ran across the Photomath app for Apple and Google Play (https://photomath.net/en/). Take a picture of the problem and click solve! The problem is solved--with all the steps. A math student's dream!
In thinking about these two examples, I wondered how technology will change how we teach math. Show your work! OK, no problem. Click, Solve, Copy. The real question is, "Can you do this on a test?" Maybe, maybe not.
I never believed students should not know the answers to the problems they solve. How many times have you solved a set of problems only to find out you made the same error in all of them and got all the answers wrong. It is hard to break the habit you formed as you did every problem incorrectly. If students have the answer, they can figure out why they missed the first problem before moving on. Sometimes solving problems works best when you start with the correct answer. So, theoretically, when apps started appearing that gave the answers, I did not have a problem with it--I don't think I have changed my feelings about that. But all the steps????
Knowing that students can access an answer to anything does mean that how we teach math must change; and it occurred to me that using this template is requiring the students in the class to THINK about math more than just find the answers. Finding the answer is far too easy now to make that the objective!
Janyne, I have never hear of a site or an app that had all the steps of a math problem laid out for the student. This will definitely make an impact on how we go about teaching math. I know that there are quite a few websites to practice math and other apps for math as well. My little brothers each have a kindle but they have to do an hour of educational apps before it unlocks their fun apps. My youngest brother likes to "race against the teacher" with his math. It is a timed website. I think these things could really come in handy while teaching math.
ReplyDeleteYes! There are so many great websites for students to practice computation. There are less that require true mathematical thinking. (By the way, not to begin a Common Core discussion here, but that is really the basis for the standards--to think math, not just do math. They are implemented very poorly, but the problem is with the curricula and teaching, not the standards--for the most part. Nothing is perfect of course.)
DeleteThis made a lot of sense to me! I had a lightbulb moment while reading this...I tend to push away from technology when planning lessons, but I loved how this worked so well with the app(s). Usually, I am drawn to more writing/literature type of lessons, lessons that seem to naturally thrive on more old-fashioned methods (Join this discussion; Write that response; etc). Although I know that it is more than likely that I just need to stretch myself with implementing technology in my lesson plans, I also wonder if some subjects naturally lend themselves more to the use of technology. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteAnd that lightbulb moment is what I am hoping to achieve in this course! :-) I do think some subjects may lend themselves more easily to technology--but only because we have to think outside the box. That is probably why I am focusing on math--it is hard to think of ways to use technology to help children actually think like mathematicians vs. accountants (computation).
DeleteThe Photomath app sounds so neat! I would really like to use that in my classroom in the future, I think.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that students should be able to know the correct answers to their work. I have had several teachers who never returned my work to me after it was graded. This was not helpful to me because I found it difficult to improve! I think that students need the reassurance of seeing the answers that they did get correct as well as seeing their incorrect answers. Also, if you show students the error of their ways (such as on a math problem), it is usually easy to work backwards and figure out where they went wrong. This will help them to fix the problem on their own.
Abbey, Learn that lesson well! Students cannot improve if they do not receive prompt feedback. Find ways to make that happen in your classroom--besides being a "superhero teacher." It is hard. The psychology of math is interesting--when only the teacher or teacher's book holds the answers it makes students dependent on the "other" for learning vs. being self-sufficient learners.
DeleteI Strongly dislike Math
ReplyDeleteI've always had a hard time with math, even as a kid I would skip steps or do the work in my head, I'd still find the right answer But I would be scolded for not showing my work and doing the problem incorrectly. Since those times as a child I've always been impatient with math because natually it got harder and I was unable to skip steps, Each step in working out a problem became crucial to finding the correct answer. If I was in a math class I would LOVE this app because I would be able to see the step that I now would have missed (because I don't know them) and learn how to produce the correct answer according to the formula given. I would totally implement this type of app in my future classroom, probably after a test or quiz so that my students could learn from their mistakes instead of it becoming a gap in their education like it was for mine. This way all the students can know where they need to work a little harder on and the extra reassurance like Abbey was saying in her post.
I would enjoy being your math teacher. :-) Your first sentence is such a wonderful challenge to me! You are exactly "that" student who would use this app to learn--and would have benefitted from working backwards from the answer. My grandson is incredibly good at math and he can do it all in his head. I may read what you said to him. It is important to learn the process--but tedious. So, do you think you are bad at math? Probably, the exact opposite is true. As a child, you were too good at it. You still probably are.
DeleteI have to admit that math was the weaker of my reading and comprehension skills. I learned later in life that a good math teacher is one that can turn us on and we will learn math and love it. When we encounter a teacher that cannot do this, then it will have this adverse effect on students. My daughter's math teacher explained this to me. I also prefer doing the math in my head. It was not a requirement when I was in school, but if we showed our steps the teacher could see where we may have went wrong and it was usually in the math part not the steps. They could then give you partial credit. My daughter struggles with math and usually it is also because sometimes the teacher can only teach one way which limits the students they are instructing. I guess this is a good time to bring in technology.
DeleteI did not know about that app. It's crazy how much technology has changed just since I was in high school! I remember everyone in my class being expected to buy $100 calculators for upper level math classes. Now there are free apps on my phone that would allow me to do everything that calculator could have done and more. Students have so much more access to technology, but that does change the way we have to teach. I know for sure that if I had known about an app that would show me exactly what to write down for my math homework, I would have used it without a second thought. This is a big challenge for teachers as they now have to come up with ways to ensure that students are actually thinking through their work and know what they are doing. Hopefully this will be a chance to help the students who are falling behind.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy how honest you are! I would have used that app! LOL It is up to the teacher to make sure that students are thinking. It is all about how you design an assignment. This is not a negative about students--we are all human and it is only logical to choose the way that appears to be easiest. It just isn't always the best way. Always value thinking above doing!
ReplyDeleteThat was to Tiffany--it appears that I just put a general comment. ????
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