Math 371 Technology for STEM Educators

  This website talked about a new form of assessing students.  The tests were composed of questions of certain levels D, C, B, A, with A being the most difficult.  They were graded with either a +, check, or --.  They were then given a 1, 2, 3, or 4 for each page depending on how they did on the questions.      I learned that there are alternative ways to grade tests and a class.  We can be creative in the way we grade our class to tailor it to our own needs.  This grading idea helps a teacher see whether their students are responding to what they are teaching since there are questions based on what level the question is like D, C, B, A.  I like this method of the tiered assessment.        It was helpful because it posed a new idea of grading, although I do not think this is how I would grade my class.  I would change portions of this grading method to accommodate my needs.    ...

     On the website http://ambercaldwell.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/virtual-conference-on-soft-skills/   talked about a great way to go over a test. The teacher had the students form "sessions" on the day they got the test back for 10-15 minutes where one student in the group explained how to solve that particular type of problem, and all questions would be directed at the student leading the session. If a student then mastered their group they could go to another group and work on that topic.      This is a great way to encourage students to study for tests because they want to be chosen as the "presenter" in the group. It also encourages peer-teaching, which helps the students to hear their friend explain the material and for the student explaining it reinforces their knowledge of the material. It is also a lot more engaging for the student than zoning out while the teacher go over the most missed points.      This was really helpful b...

Almost every article about contemporary education that I read involves promoting technology in the classroom. They speak about the benefits and all the things we can do with technology. They speak of the DOE and state/federal governments needing to step up with funding to purchase these new pieces of technology. These articles are littered with positives about the use of technology in the classroom in this fast pace and ever changing world. I believe there is no denying the positive correlation between increased technology use and higher student academic achievement. So with all these advocates and all this new technology at our fingertips, why have test scores not risen dramatically? I believe this is because teachers are being given these amazing pieces of technology  but are being given no guidance as to how it should be used. I would compare it to giving a blind man a map to a huge treasure. The  map (technology) is useless if the blind man has n...

As part of Math 371, I wanted everyone to learn about blogs.  What better way to learn than to create a group blog, where each week one of us will post to the blog.  As I continue to prepare for this course, I have realized that it is harder to prepare because technology is changing instantly.  So, bear with me as we will all learn a lot this semester (I hope). I thought that the first post should be links to several websites that we may find helpful in this course.  Again, this list may be overwhelming so don't try to check all of these out in one sitting. 23 mobile apps educators should watch in 2013 | Education Dive News, voices and jobs for education professionals. Optimized for your mobile phone. 10 Must-Have Apps For iPads In The Classroom - Edudemic My students love using their iPads in the classroom! iPads in the classroom provide student with the opportunity not to be restricted to the traditional way of learning. http://coolcat...