Chapter 7 Mathematics

TPACK Chapter 7

Mathematics

            I was looking forward to reading the math section of this book for a couple of reasons. First of all, I was hoping to gain insight about how to use technology in mathematics effectively and appropriately. My second reason is that I was hoping it was going to clarify the use of calculators and whether students should use them or not.  As I was reading through chapter 7, I was relieved to see that other math teachers feel the same way I do about the use of calculators,  “should students who don’t know the fundamentals of basic arithmetic operations be allowed to use a calculator? “ (pg. 146). I often struggle with this idea day in and day out.

Since my first year of teaching, I have been completely against using calculators in the earlier math classes such as basic math skills and algebra 1. I feel that students should know and be able to make calculations correctly using their brains and good old paper and pencil. I try to emphasize that even though a calculator is easy, many times in life you will not have one with you when a question or concern arises. Therefore, if you rely heavily on the calculator to do the work for you, you lose the skill and ability to solve problems on your own. I also think that once you have proven that you understand the basic skills, then a calculator could be used to assist with other math concepts/classes to save time (Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, etc).

Using technology effectively in a math classroom is very important. The chapter talks about several good programs that could be used to “support teaching and learning “ (pg.146 ). Teachers need to make sure that if they use technology in their math class, that it is as a support and not to do teach a lesson for them. Being trained in particular technology geared towards mathematics would be extremely helpful, especially if technology is being pushed by your school to be incorporated in everyday teaching.