New Insights and Their Implications

This class has provided me with new insights about technology and how it can be used in a mathematics classroom. Before this course my knowledge about technology use in a mathematics classroom consisted of the use of calculators and possibly PowerPoint and Excel. The class discussions and the readings have broadened my view of technology in the mathematics classroom. I now realize how useful a SmartBoard can be for everyday instruction and that there are several software programs that can be useful in math education. The one thing I will continue to work on though experience and practice is how to best use technology in my classroom so that my students will benefit from the technology. I believe technology is a great exploration tool and can help students grasp difficult topics by presenting the material in a new way.
I've also learned that teaching just mathematics procedures without letting the students discover ideas for themselves is sometimes detrimental. I, myself, do not remember learning the "completing the square" method in high school most likely because I just memorized the process presented by the teacher and then quickly forgot it after not using the process regularly. After the lesson on completing the square, I think I have a better grasp on the subject and will never forget the process. I believe that using a visual representation and being able to discover the pattern first before the teacher gave it to me allowed me to really understand what it means to complete the square. After this experience I think that when designing lessons it is important to let students discover math concepts on their own so that they can gain a greater understanding of the material and will appreciate the problem solving processes and strategies used to arrive at the solution. I hope our future work with lesson study will help me to see exactly how and when to allow students to discover mathematical concepts on their own.
The new insights I've learned both about technology and student discovery have given me new tools in creating a better learning environment for my future students.