Assignments

1. Class Activities and Participation

Actively participate in class activities, assignments, and discussions to reinforce the understanding of selected software and use of Internet resources. Individual and collaborative hands-on activities to reinforce understanding of selected software and use of Internet resources will be completed during class sessions.

At the conclusion of each day, complete a brief electronic journal reflecting on what you learned about during the day, how you might use this in the math classroom, and include any questions or comments. A specific topic may be suggested for the daily journal. Please use one word processing document that will include all your journal entries and responses and save the journal to your folder on the server. Include your name and the date with each journal entry!


2. Review an Article of your choice on Technology in the Mathematics Classroom

This one-page word-processed review should include the article name, author, journal information and/or Internet address or ENC#. Include a one-paragraph description of the mathematics described in the article and your analysis of how these ideas or techniques could apply to your classroom or school setting. Attach a copy of the article to your review or cite the URL for web-based articles. This assignment is due on August 11.


3. Software Evaluation

Prepare a software evaluation, using the Guide for Evaluating Software for Mathematics from the CT Goals 2000 (located on the SDE Math Curriculum website) for one math program that you recommend to improve student understanding of particular math standard(s). (This program is in addition to the ones used during class activities. Refer to the list of available programs. See the instructor if you have additional questions.) Include a description on how you would assess student learning with this software. This assignment is due at the beginning of class on August 14.


4. WWW Resources

Develop a list of at least six standards-based math resources for your classroom or school setting. Be prepared to share your resource page online with other class members via a ‘hot list’. This assignment is due at the beginning of class on August 13.

Demonstrate one of your resources with the class on August 13 or 14. Use the Goals 2000 Guide for Evaluating Internet Sites as you share this site with class members. Discuss how the site could be used to improve learning of mathematics and methods of assessment. A sign-up sheet for sharing resources will be distributed during the week of August 11.

For each WWW site include the following:
Name of site
URL
CT Math Content Standard &Mac183; Appropriate grade level(s)
Brief description of how this resource can be used in the classroom


5. Plan to Increase Student Learning in Mathematics (Paper and short presentation)

Assume that you are making a presentation to your local Board of Education on the importance of allocating additional funding to integrate technology in the math curriculum in your school/district to improve student achievement in mathematics in the grades 3-8 curriculum. Be creative!

Your paper must include:

• Specific math standards that need to be strengthened
• Theoretical background concerning the use of technology in the math classroom
• Brief history of how technology is presently utilized in mathematics classes
• Your specific recommendations and rationale in terms of increased student learning
• Potential costs to the school/district in terms of software and professional development needs (assume that you have adequate numbers of networked computers!)
• Recommendations for assessment
• Rationale for why the School Board should adopt your recommendations
  
  Your paper must include references which may be electronic (such as from the WWW), paper (such as journal articles), and/or from other printed materials and a correctly formatted bibliography.
  
  This assignment is due on August 15. Be prepared to share a summary of your needs and recommendations with the class on August 15. You may wish to use presentation software to share your summary.