Do you remember the first time you learned about the Internet or watched a Power Point presentation? Did you feel a yearning itch in your heart to get your hands on it, try it out, and use it? My students have limited access to technology, but become so engaged when they can use it.
Algebra.
Wow. The academic leap from Pre-Algebra into Algebra 1 is huge. Students are often overwhelmed with the symbols and abstraction. There is incredibly engaging and exciting technology which has recently been developed to assist students being able to visualize and really see the concepts behind Algebra 1.
My students are incredibly diverse. Some of them are children of engineers and doctors while many others are homeless or have no one in their family who has ever attended college. They are filled with energy and curiosity, but often don't understand the purpose of studying Algebra.
Our school is a vibrant community where science classes are often held in the school garden, and coordinate graphing is often taught on a huge grid outside on the yard. We strive to teach in creative ways to meet the diverse learning styles of our students.
My Project
Technology can be used to amaze students and also to give them greater insights into the concepts they are studying.
Currently, most of my teaching centers around the board. Each time I need to show something on a graph I have to put up a new piece of graph paper.
With a Wacom Wireless Tablet and Stylus, my teaching will use 21st century technology for a MUCH more engaging classroom. FluidMath software (http://www.fluiditysoftware.com/) is an incredibly powerful piece of software that requires a tablet computer with a Stylus. I, or a student, can write an equation on the screen. The software immediately converts the hand-written equation to type and graphs it. Then, with simple taps on the screen, using several colors, the graph can be manipulated to show how small changes in the equation will affect the graph.
Since the tablet is wireless, I can use it at the board, but can also place it on a student's desk, allowing him/her to pose problems to a small group of peers.
I hope that ALL my students, not simply those from middle/upper class families, have the skills and drive to attend college.
To continue studying math or science, they need to be able to integrate technology into their work. Having a Wacom tablet and stylus, along with FluidMath software (which I will purchase on my own)will empower students to have deeper insights into the concepts we study in Algebra 1 and lower the achievement gap between students of different socioeconomic groups.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Krasnow and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.