Mastering Middle School Math in the World of Technology

  Constructivism learning theory is a student learning new knowledge by creating ideas and problem solving (Orey, 2010). Students learn by developing ideas and experiences from prior knowledge (Krahenbuhk, 2016). Constructivism can be presented in the classroom through learning by design and project-based learning. Both are student-centered strategies that create a learning environment where they can take responsibility for their learning (Orey, 2010). In these strategies, students learn from their mistakes, from each other, and learn what they can do on their own (Laureate Education, 2016). Technology tools that can be effective are google tools like google slides, docs, meet that allows students to collaborate. Other tools that could be used are web quests, blogs, and portfolios (Yoders, 2014). These tools enable students to learn and collaborate through student-centered learning.  I have used learn by design strategy in my class by having students create a video summary...

Students explored google earth and its tools. They located their house and found the actual and driving distance from four different locations. Lastly, they compared the two distances by making a ratio. They made a conclusion about the ratios and what it means.  As a class, we compared four different houses of students from our school. We discussed our ratios and made a final conclusion. Here is the URL to our concept map

  Behaviorism in education is praising preferred behaviors and punishing poor ones (Orey, 2010).   There are many methods to use behaviorism in the classroom, for example, contracts, consequences, reinforcement, extinction, and behavior modification (Orey, 2010). These methods can be used along with instructional strategies and technology tools to support student learning. When educators use instructional strategies and technology tools in the class, they can use behaviorism methods to teach students the desired behavior.   Having good behavioral management can increase engagement time and student performance (Johnson, 2015). Many technology tools will provide instant feedback to students that can enforce the desired outcome as well (Pitler et al., 2012).   Instructional strategies help deliver the curriculum, technology tools enhance it, and behaviorism methods can help manage the students. All three work together to ensure that students are successful in the clas...

       As technology is advancing in society, it is also changing the way students are learning. I started my master's in technology integration, learning, and discovering new ways to use technology in the classroom. I want to have a curriculum that prepares my students for the 21st-century college or career path they choose. This course opened up my mind to many new opportunities and tools that I can use in my classroom. It has given me the time to try new ideas with my students and broaden my understanding of different education web tools.   Going through this course has opened up ideas and resources that I did not imagine using in the classroom. I have been a learner, collaborator, designer, and facilitator of student learning through technology (ISTE, 2008). I have learned how to use blogs, wiki’s, and social bookmarking to enhance my students' learning.   I have collaborated with classmates on finding resources that can be used in the classroom throu...

I would use a blog in my classroom to share extra resources my students could use to further their curriculum learning. Parents and students often ask for ways to practice or received help outside of the classroom. In this blog, I would share weekly resources that align with the curriculum being taught in the class. I would use it to post the resources, and the students could comment on my post about the resources they tried and their opinion on them. By having the students post on my blog, it would let me know what students tried the resources and how helpful it was to their learning.   Blogs are an excellent tool for education because it gives teachers and students a space to share ideas. It allows them to learn how to communicate and discuss through technology. Blogs provide a form of communication on a topic that can reduce anxiety and reinforce student understanding, encourage critical thinking, create peer interactions, and promote natural connections to classroom experienc...