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Mathematics, Culture and Technology

1. Technology in Mathematics Classroom

This website tells us about using technology in the elementary Mathematics classroom nowadays. “Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it influences the Mathematics that is taught and enhances students’ learning” (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) 2000, Technology Principle). “Students’ use of technology to engage in real world Mathematics in turn allows them to design and construct their own Mathematical experiences. When technology is used according to the Standards, it serves as a tool and allows students to focus on the Mathematics” (Heid, 1997).

Technology plays a role in being a highly qualified teacher, and conceptual focus in the Mathematics classroom as an ongoing challenge. Many students experience some form of technology in their classrooms, but do not understand the reasoning behind it. In order to overcome the problem and make this situation go on very well, an effective, highly qualified teacher is needed and he/she will attend workshops and conferences, learn new techniques, such as integrating technology appropriately, learn new pedagogical skills, and staying current with curriculum. The effective teacher pushes the students out of their comfort zones to experience the new and different learning experiences with technology. With the use of technology in the Mathematics classroom, this allows the students to turn their focus to understanding the concepts and how to apply them, open-ended assignments in which the students can learn concepts by “discovery” as well as to retain the concepts. The students can also experiment and view different results and methods of solutions to different problems.

http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/09408.pdf

2. Research Study

This website focuses on the research study of investigating how and why secondary school Mathematics teachers, Susie, a beginning teacher and Brian, an experienced teacher use digital technologies to help their students to learn. Susie believes that using technology help students develop mathematical understanding by investigating real life situations and linking different representations of concepts. Susie prefers to use graphics calculators so that students can access technology in class whenever they need it. The data projector installed in her classroom also makes it easy for her to display the calculator screen for viewing by the whole class. Susie was strongly supported from the school’s administration and her colleagues since joining the staff. The only real obstacle she faces is lack of time to develop more teaching resources and to become familiar with all of the technologies available to her.

Brian pioneered a change in philosophy that led to the adoption of a social constructivist pedagogy in all mathematics classes at the school and it expressed through problem solving situations and the use of technology, concrete materials and real life contexts, produced significant improvement in mathematics learning outcomes across all year levels. Brian agreed that “The role of the mathematics teacher is to provide students with activities that encourage them to wonder about and explore mathematics”.

http://www.merga.net.au/documents/RP262007.pdf

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

'Maths For Enrichment' Presentation Done!

24.03.2010 - I presented the topic on 'Patterns & Tessellations' and I'm very happy it was done!

Visited Brunei Museum

23.03.2010 - At 2 p.m. me & Diana went to Brunei Museum to see the demonstration on traditional game 'Pasang' & 'Congkak'. It's actually part of our task to do our Maths For Enrichment assignment.

Thursday, 18 March 2010

My Little Girl Artwork

18/03/2010 - It was around five in the morning and I was still sleeping when I felt someone tickling my feet. I glanced at my little girl and she made her artwork on my feet with a black pen that she found somewhere in the room. I juz let her did her work as long as she didn't do it on my face! :D Hehe.....

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Games in Mathematics

17.03.2010 - I won't forget with 'moonwalking' and 'Barney song' in ED 1410 class. So fun today and enjoyed the lecture with Miz Azura :D

'Majlis Kesyukuran'

Today I attended 'Majlis Kesyukuran' for Brunei III Yr 6 teachers 2009 at Stadium Restaurant at 1.30 p.m till 4.00 p.m. My previous school got 2nd place in PSR and received $300. All the teachers who taught yr 6 last year had received the certificate.