Here is a video explaining my successes this year using iPod touch with my 6th Grade math students:
Below are some of the thoughts and ideas that I share in my video narration. I will post the results of our state tests as soon as they are available in June, 2010.
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” by John Dewey. I love that quote and but then I hate it too. To remain on the cutting edge is hard. We already know that kids these day learn computer technology more easily than adults, it’s as if they’ve been waiting all these centuries for someone to invent their native language.
I was lucky this year to get a class set of iPod touches.
My essential question: What happens when students use touches in the math classroom.
- I kept a journal and recorded memorial moments and general observations.
- I gave two surveys that the students responded to
- The Idaho test was given in October and will again in May for student gain in achievement.
Additional questions asked of the students were:
- Do you enjoy math more while using the Touches?
- Does using the Touches during math class help you to solve problems?
- What have you learned from other students in the classroom?
- Has using the Touches made math easier for you? If so, how?
Two journal entries I would like to share with you that I am particularly proud of are:
A struggling student who has been ‘gang identified’ and has just recently returned from a suspension for fighting asked me to get more of the ‘finger physics’ Apps. We got onto the iTunes App store and he helped me pick out some Apps he wanted to see on his iPod touch.
A student who struggles with concentrating was able to put on a pair of headphones and listen to music, while taking the first round of state testing, he came one point away from exceeding the state test - he didn’t pass in 5th grade......
What I am happiest with is before when kids finished their math early, I didn’t have much for them to do that they enjoyed, worksheets, coloring, extra credit, reading? They didn’t like it and now I can control what they are working on and know that it is education and they all LOVE to get free time on their iPod touches.
Although I am very proud of what we accomplished in math class this year with the iPod touches I have some additional goals for next year:
I want to know how to use Google Docs with responses from my kids using my blog
- More apps regarding podcasting- make them and find them
- want to find time to make videos & podcasts
- Currently have plenty of Apps on Algebra, percentages, etc. what next?
Comments
edh456@yahoo.com (unauthenticated)
Aug 21, 2010
Bravo, how do I get in touch with your program?
jeffri (unauthenticated)
Mar 31, 2011
good ideas, like which way you can do this. Combines technology with education