think blogging would be very benefitial in a math classroom. As a math resource teacher I see that many students and teachers have trouble expressing how math is used in the real world. In a math blog students could blog weekly on how the skills that they learned during the week would relate into real world applications. Teachers could also use the blog to give a real world problems or situations, students could then blog about how they would solve the problem and what math skills would be needed. In my state (MD) students need to be able to express there thinking using BCR's. Many students do not like answering these BCR's because teachers tend to focus on the writing aspect of it and students tend to loose interest. However, having students express there thinking in blogs for others to read would give these students the practice of expressing their ideas in a setting that is not the normal paper and pencil format.
PS - Thanks Jamie, I was wondering were it went last night. If I can't post a blog in the right place how can I expect my students to? Oh wait, they will be teaching me about blogging....LOL
Chad,
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion about blogging for a math class and great information. I think that blogging would be a great math tool. Also parents could look at the student's blog and get a feel for how the student is progressing in the class.
Great job
Valerie
It is funny, I was looking at my weekly math notes I get from the county since I am the school resource teacher. They were recommending setting up blogs and how they could be used in math. They wanted to know if anyone was already using them in class. I am no using them in class, but am discussing the possible uses here. Maybe I can implement them in my school sooner than I thought.
ReplyDeleteChad, you have some really great ideas for using blogs with your math classes. Gotta love those BCRs - ha! And, Valerie, good point about parents getting to see how students are doing. I am constantly explaining to parents about what BCRs are, so this would give them a much clearer idea of what is expected.
ReplyDeleteMy kindergarten students love to show me up on the computers. They always seem to have a better way to do things :)
I like the idea too. Shared discussions on solving problems or progressing through activities is a great way for students to help each other as they explain what they are doing and how.
ReplyDelete