One Best Thing
Digital Discourse in Mathematics: Strategies for the Young Learner
by Kristin Ziemke
Drawing Pad
Doodle Buddy
Draw and Tell
iMovie
Edmodo
Kristin Ziemke
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The One Best Thing iBook I reviewed was “Digital Discourse in Mathematics: Strategies for the Young Learner” by Kristin Ziemke. In this iBook Kristin Ziemke shared how she has incorporated technology into her large 1st grade math class so that her students could better share ideas, communicate, discuss, and learn from each other.
In Kristin Ziemke’s class, they use iPads and MacBooks. By using technology in math, students can share their ideas and thinking processes by using their own drawings, using pictures on an app, making a video, writing in a discussion post, or by Tweeting. Using technology allows all students to share ideas, including those who may be too shy to raise their hand and share in class. Additionally, technology allows students to share all at once instead of one at a time. The use of different apps also allows the teacher to see each student’s thinking process, which can help the teacher to guide the student's learning and provide effective feedback. Kristin Ziemke also likes using technology because she can build online student portfolios by compiling the students’ work they send her. Some of the apps this class uses include Drawing Pad and Doodle Buddy. These apps allow students to draw or write out their thinking process and save and share their work with others. The multiple colors available on these apps can also help a child with their learning, such as when grouping, counting, or solving a problem step-by-step. When students show their work and share their learning with others, students can learn new ways and strategies to solve problems; it allows them to see the same problem solved in multiple ways. Every student learns in a different way, so by sharing ideas, students can strengthen their problem solving skills and connect ideas. Likewise, by explaining their thought process, they are talking their way through how they solved the problem, thus improving their math language skills. Not only does Kristin Ziemke’s class show their work by drawing it out, but also by typing and having conversations with each other. She uses Edmodo and TodaysMeet so her students can discuss via an online discussion board. These apps allow students to see other students’ thought processes and provide feedback to each other. Online chats are great because students can work at his or her own pace. Some may post an answer right away, whereas others may read posts, gather ideas, or take more time to formulate an answer. These discussions can easily be saved so a teacher can go back and look at the various answers of the students when he or she has more time to evaluate them. The class also uses Twitter so they can connect with other students around the world and talk about math with them. Last, this classroom creates videos, such as iMovies, to explain different math solving strategies. This is yet another way for students to share their problem solving strategies and for teachers to see students’ learning process. I think by using all these different modes of learning, students can not only be more creative with their learning, but can also really internalize the concepts being taught. After reading this One Best Thing iBook, I can better see how technology can be integrated and effective in math lessons. |