Discussion+Questions+-+EDT+674

**__Discussion Question 1 - completed during Weekend One __**
What do you know about using technology with students?

I think that technology is something that students really enjoy using in the classroom. They are so familiar with using computers, iPods and other forms of technology that it is important that teachers utuilize these valuable resources. Since students really enjoy using technology, they seem to learn more because they are engaged in their learning.

In math, there are many programs and websites that allow students to see and analyze certain topics that are not possible with just using paper and pencil. Websites that have a graphing calculator that allow you to change one variable in the equation and see the effect on the graph are especially useful because it is quick and students can visually see how the graph is changing.

What do you want to know about using technology with students?

I want to know for math what are some useful math websites and programs that can be beneficial for students. I already know and have used some, but I wished I knew more. Also, I want to learn how I can incorporate some Web 2.0 websites that aren't specifically for math into my classroom.

**__Discussion Question 2 - completed during Weekend One__ **
 Look at the Essential 21st Century Skills List - Select one skill and discuss how you already meet this skill via your current instruction.

In teaching math, the skill I think I really emphasize is problem solving. Students are constantly solving different types of problems in which they must think about how they are correctly solve it. I really like to use word problems because there isn't a set procedure on how to solve every word problem. Students must decide with the given information if they should write an equation, make a graph or a table to solve. 

Select another Essential 21st Century Skill that you may NOT already touch upon and project how you might be able to meet that need in future instruction.

One skill I want to touch on more is creating information in a variety of forms and media. For assignments, projects and assessments, I want to give students more options on what they can use or make for their assignments and assessments. ==** __Discussion Question 3 - to be completed one week after the Weekend One__ ** ==

Find a TeacherTube/YouTube video that you could use for instructional purposes and copy and paste the address of the video for others to view. Explain how you would use this with your students.

NOTE: Since there are so many videos to choose from, please avoid any repeats.

View two other students’ videos.

media type="youtube" key="mg8IDXpmc-U" height="195" width="351"

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This video shows a trick you can use to remember the cosine and sine of 0, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. Since we are currently covering this topic, I showed this video to my Advanced Algebra with Trig class and they thought it was neat. After watching the video, I had a student explain and clarify the trick to the class.

==**__Discussion Question 4 - to be completed Saturday/Weekend Two__ ** ==

To complete the KWHL- what have you learned from the readings, activities and discussions from this course about using technology with your students?

I have learned a lot of different ways to incorporate technology into my classroom to help students learn. From the textbook, there were a lot of easy ways to use technology that I had never thought of before. For example, I had to summarize the chapter on "Setting Objectives" and the author suggested creating a KWHL chart using Microsoft Word or using email as simple ways for students to record what they have learned.

Also, technology enhances student motivation and learning. There are many things that I currently do in my classroom that the book suggests, but I do it more using worksheets rather than using computers. The use of technology makes it more enjoyable for students since they use technology frequently outside of school. Normally, I would have not enjoyed writing a summary for a chapter of a book, but just doing it electronically made it less painful.

Lastly, I found that there are countless resources available on the web for any subject areas. For high school math, I felt there were a limited number of good websites that I could use for my students. By having time to looking around at the different links on the wiki during class, I was able to find additional websites that I plan to use for next year. Also, for one of my lesson plans, I had students use glogster.com to make poster on quadratic equations. Before this, I thought glogster.com was a neat website, but did not know how to incorporate it into a math classroom. This made me realize that a lot of Web 2.0 websites can be used in any classroom if you are creative and think outside the box.