For the past two years I have been teaching 8th grade math in Hawaii. I teach four classes, each with approximately twenty-five fantastic students. I see them three times per week, due to our block schedule. This year we branched out from our typical curriculum, looking for content and experiences that would better engage our students and lead to overall higher levels of learning. As I look forward to next year, I want to continue on our track of innovation and improvement by including more technology. Specifically, I want students to use graphing calculators regularly.
While our school has an abundant supply of textbooks, technologically, our supplies are limited. Students have come to view our simple 4-function calculators as crutches that help them to compute rather than as technological tools that can aid in exploration and learning. They get excited when I show them various graphics and applications on my computer, but there is a difference between me showing them and them exploring and experiencing on their own.
During the first quarter, most of our time is spent translating between tables, graphs, equations, and exploring relationships between variables. Students are able to achieve mastery over the 8th grade benchmarks without using technology, but there are definite shortcomings. Two benchmarks explicitly state that students should use “graphing technology when available”. Students spend so much time physically translating between tables, graphs, and equations, that the time to compare and contrast the representations and patterns and to draw conclusions from them is minimized. Once they are able to translate by hand, using graphing calculators would enhance their immediate learning.
Technology would also set them up for success in high school, college, and in many careers, where technology is an integral component of the work. If students become effective users of technology now, they will be able to better incorporate technology into their lives later. Additionally, when I have shown students my own graphing calculator, I have watched them get excited and amazed by what it can do. Technology can be a powerful motivator that pushes students toward a deeper appreciation for math.
Your donation will help my students to see mathematics as an exciting discipline. Graphing calculators will not detract from their skills by hand; it will enhance their overall comprehension of the content. I am asking for eight calculators so that even in my larger classes, each group of four students will have a calculator with which to explore.
These calculators will continue to have an impact each year as additional students are provided with this early opportunity to connect mathematics and technology! My students and I thank you!
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