Document Camera
This device works similar to a projector, but you may want to think of it as an up to date projector. The document camera can display notes, a student's work, a picture, textbook, etc on the wall without the need of making a copy on a transparency. We will use this tool daily in our quest for math knowledge.
Scanner
This year I am hoping to start a digital portfolio of the work completed in class. As the process begins, I will begin posting this information on this blog or possibly the student's blog. This will allow the student and the parents to review their work at their convenience. Hopefully, this will help eliminate the occasional student losing their work.
Digital Video Camera
One thing we are trying this semester is recording the student's problem solving as well as their explanation of how they solved the problem. As students finish their work (we won't record every problem), they will record their solution and as a class we review them and analyze each student or groups thinking process. Marsha Tate believes that 90% of what one brain teaches another will be retained, thus we think this will be a valuable tool for the student.
Graphing Calculator
One advantage of using our class set of graphing calculators is that will allow us to explore numbers that are too hard to calculate on paper and pencil. When we read Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar we will use the graphing calculator to work on the factorials in the book and also setup an equation to use in the table function of the calculators.
Cell Phone
We will be using voting polls for class bellringers and each student will have the option of texting their response or using our classroom computers to send in their answers. Our class will also use Cinch when we want to record our problem solving techniques or class presentations. I will also try to use Cinch in the classroom when we have absent students to record class discussions that could be important. Most cell phones also have an easy to use calculator on them, thus we will find many uses for the cell phone during class. These are not required, but if your student has one I am open to using it for education!
Blogs
Teaming with ELA teachers, we will have students also write up their problem solving techniques on a blog. Each table team will blog weekly about a new strategy they learned or a problem they solved that week. This should assist students in their writing skills and will hopefully start a little competition between the tables. Furthermore, it should be a fun way to follow your child's progress in
Note: We are currently working on a grant to purchase iTouch devices for the class (which would replace the cell phones). There are a number of educational applications for the iTouch that we are looking forward to using that we think will help further your understanding or your child's knowledge. Some of the devices I have listed above may not be needed when we receive our grant for the iTouches.
