Math 371 Technology for STEM Educators

Over the course of my life, I have had my fair share of struggles when it comes to mathematics. It could be so frustrating when I would spend hours upon hours on a single question, with little progress towards understanding the material. However, there would be days I found enjoyment in math, solving problems that required a higher level of understanding with ease. As this cycle of attitudes towards mathematics continues in my life, I find myself believing this is the groundwork for having a passion, and in this case, being passionate about math. To offer this idea in a different context, I sometimes compare my relationship with mathematics to my favorite football team, the Minnesota Vikings. They can have a great season with high chances of winning in the playoffs, but can also leave me frustrated, when they lose in a way only the Vikings can. The same goes for math. One moment I am ‘winning’ and the next I am ‘losing’, but, in the end, it still draws me in and I continue to be a...

Living in the Digital Era, we see many uses of technology in the classroom. For many students, technology is used during every class period. Whether this be writing on a Smart Board or looking something up on their phone. Educators cannot shy away from the fact that technology is becoming a big part of the classroom and it is benefiting our students as well.   Some teachers are reluctant to use technology because they are afraid that they will not be able to use it or that something will go wrong with the technology during their lesson plan. There is some very useful technology that is easy to use but that can also greatly impact our students. If you feel uncomfortable using technology talk to your school’s digital coordinator. They can show you in a matter of minutes how to run certain technology. You will also find that your students often know more about technology then you might. Ask the students if they know a simple solution to the problem. My sixth grade teacher desig...

Five years ago today I started this course blog for Math 371: Technology for Math (STEM) Educators.  I am happy that I did it and am looking forward to another great semester of this class.  I am also glad that my students in that class wanted me to continue using the same blog each year so that we could look back on the changes in technology over the years. Each spring when I teach this course, I do it differently, partly based on what the students want to learn and partly due to changes in technology.  So I find it fitting to use this quote from Robert John Meehan on course management system page, " Life as a teacher begins the day you realize that you are always a learner ." On the first day of class, I told the students that I am not always going to be the technology expert on certain technologies and that we are all learners in the course.  Each semester I learn new things and hopefully they learn new things.  Ultimately my goal is to make our mat...