ONE BEST THING
digital discourse for mathematics: strategies for the young learner
The author of this iBook is a first grade teacher and she shares her thoughts as she experiences as 1:1 classroom. She is a big advocate for how iPads have helped her students in all subjects, “The iPad has changed everything in all subject areas, as students have new tools for creating and showing what they know" (Ziemke). She shares examples and strategies for the use of iPads in mathematics.
Drawing Pad and Doodle Buddy allow the students to write and share answers well. Though I do think that these tools could be useful in the classroom, I don't see the advantage of replacing pencil and paper with iPad writing. First graders are developing their writing skills, especially with numbers, and I think it is important for them to practice with pencil and paper. She shared a video of her using one of the drawing tools to reach an example of a problem and I thought that would work very well for an in class and an at home resource for the students. She could use colors and graphics that students can watch as many times as they need to fully understand the problem. It also allows for easy digital sharing with parents and faculty members. I think that I would implement the use of this tool for in class work in groups and as a way for me to quickly assess how well they understand the concepts, but I still see the benefit of using pencil and paper to solve math problems.
Ziemke also talked about the use of Edmodo in her classroom. I can see this as a great outside of class collaboration tool. It can help the students work together on homework and ask questions when they aren't at school. I can also see the teacher answering questions for an hour block before a test for big homework assignment. This teacher uses it in her classroom, and I don't see an advantage to doing that. She teaches first grade and I think it could be hard for them to communicate how they are feeling through writing because of their low vocabulary. She also uses Twitter as a reflection tool. I have never heard of this being done in a classroom, and it is very interesting. I like how collaborative minded the teacher is, but I don't know that Twitter is a great social outlet for 6 year olds.
Overall, I think that Ziemke takes advantage of the opportunity to use iPads in her classroom. Based on her video examples, her class really enjoys using them and thrives on the digital plane. I am glad that I read this book so I am aware of the resources she shared. At this point, I don't see myself using the techniques she does, but it is good to keep an open mind because my future class may need this kind of digital immersion.
Check it out for yourself!
Drawing Pad and Doodle Buddy allow the students to write and share answers well. Though I do think that these tools could be useful in the classroom, I don't see the advantage of replacing pencil and paper with iPad writing. First graders are developing their writing skills, especially with numbers, and I think it is important for them to practice with pencil and paper. She shared a video of her using one of the drawing tools to reach an example of a problem and I thought that would work very well for an in class and an at home resource for the students. She could use colors and graphics that students can watch as many times as they need to fully understand the problem. It also allows for easy digital sharing with parents and faculty members. I think that I would implement the use of this tool for in class work in groups and as a way for me to quickly assess how well they understand the concepts, but I still see the benefit of using pencil and paper to solve math problems.
Ziemke also talked about the use of Edmodo in her classroom. I can see this as a great outside of class collaboration tool. It can help the students work together on homework and ask questions when they aren't at school. I can also see the teacher answering questions for an hour block before a test for big homework assignment. This teacher uses it in her classroom, and I don't see an advantage to doing that. She teaches first grade and I think it could be hard for them to communicate how they are feeling through writing because of their low vocabulary. She also uses Twitter as a reflection tool. I have never heard of this being done in a classroom, and it is very interesting. I like how collaborative minded the teacher is, but I don't know that Twitter is a great social outlet for 6 year olds.
Overall, I think that Ziemke takes advantage of the opportunity to use iPads in her classroom. Based on her video examples, her class really enjoys using them and thrives on the digital plane. I am glad that I read this book so I am aware of the resources she shared. At this point, I don't see myself using the techniques she does, but it is good to keep an open mind because my future class may need this kind of digital immersion.
Check it out for yourself!