Fractions

 What is a Fraction? 

Fractions represent equal parts of a whole or a collection. 

Fraction of a whole: When we divided a whole into equal parts, each part is a fraction of the whole.  

Math Games

What role do games play in helping students learn math?

Engaging mathematical games can encourage students to investigate number combinations, place value, patterns, and other important mathematical concepts. Playing games promotes strategic mathematical thinking by allowing students to experiment with different problem-solving strategies and deepen their understanding of numbers.

Math games allow children to enjoy online games; it is much easier for them to concentrate on the lesson when it is presented in the form of a math game. As a result, when teachers incorporate fun games into math classroom activities, Everyone Wins!

There are numerous fun math games available, but here are 2 of them that have been proven to be successful in the classroom:

1) Math Bingo:

Math Bingo is an intriguing variation on the original game. Begin by making bingo cards for your students that contain answers to various multiplication tables. After you've distributed the cards to your students, begin the game by calling out numbers. However, the trick here is to call out the equation rather than the product. For example, instead of the product, which is 32, use the equation 48. As a result, the students will have to determine the product through multiplication each time and then check to see if the number is on the card.

2) Hopscotch Math:

Combining math and physical activity can be a lot of fun! Hopscotch math is a fun game for students in grades 1–4 to solve simple addition and subtraction problems while having fun.

Before you begin the game, you will need a chalk to draw on the pavement and a number hopscotch that resembles a calculator. Bring your first player to the number one spot to toss a stone to begin the game. He then jumps on an equation that equals the number one. For example, he must jump on the squares (1 + 0) or (3 – 2) that equal 1. When landing on odd numbers and zeros, players must use one-footed hops, and when landing on even numbers and symbols, they must use two-footed hops. A player's turn continues until they make an error, such as stepping on a line or hopping on the wrong equation. The winner is the first person to work through all the numbers to nine.

Mathematics

 Mathematics is an excellent method for improving mental discipline and for encouraging logical reasoning and mental rigor. Furthermore, mathematical knowledge is essential for comprehending the contents of other school subjects such as science, social studies, and even music and art.

 Every time I tell someone I'm studying Mathematics, they all have the same reaction: "Woah, that's deep!" "You've got to be a nerd."

 Here are five reasons why I enjoy math:

Math helps us understand numbers, and numbers help us understand the world:

Mathematics has a wide variety of real-world applications. We are surrounded by numbers, equations, and algorithms, especially in this age of data science, with large data sets that can only be comprehended through statistical models and analysis. Math allows us to see the world in ways that nothing else can!

Math is a black and white subject; there is no room for ambiguity:

Math, unlike many other subjects, is objective. Every question has a clear answer, and when you solve it, you can be correct or incorrect. There is no room for ambiguity. Personally, I like this objective approach and the certainty it provides.

Old ideas are just as relevant as new ones:

Mathematical concepts have a sort of hierarchy; for example, you cannot understand calculus without first mastering basic algebra. As a result, you must keep in mind that whenever you learn a new concept, it will be referred to repeatedly as you learn the next one. Learning becomes more interesting and engaging as you can see how everything clicked into place.

Nothing can be proven unless there is evidence:

There is no space for speculative thinking. When attempting to prove something in mathematics, evidence is required. Personally, I believe that this should be applied to other aspects of life as well. Consider how many misunderstandings could be avoided if visual/auditory evidence was required!

It provides a good mental challenge:

Every math problem is a new, exciting, and one-of-a-kind challenge. The adrenaline rush you get when you finally solve a problem that seemed impossible at first is unrivaled. Each new day learning in this wonderful subject area is unexpected and something to look forward to.

What can you do now ?

 Are you returning to some old habits this year? Have you considered whether your standard practices are necessary? Here are some things that teachers have to do in order to become better educators:

By changing things up now and then, you can show your creativity in the classroom. Change the way you present your lessons, assess students in new ways, or present them with new and unexpected challenges.

In the classroom, foster your students' creativity.

1. Make your environment compassionate and accepting.

2. Be aware of the ideas of your students.

3. Encourage independence.

4. Rephrase assignments to encourage creative thinking.

5. Give students direct feedback on their creativity.

6. Assist students in determining when it is appropriate to be creative.

Stay Up to Date: Teachers can keep up with changing trends in a variety of ways, including 

1. Enrolling in a college course participating

2. in professional development. participating

3. in a professional organization.

4. Reading books or articles from journals

Challenges you face when learning/teaching online

 In 2021, the way of education has changed with online education. Everyone thought that when education first went online due to covid19 restrictions, it would be a temporary change, but here we are almost a year and a half later, and schools are still operating online. The world is still dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, and education will continue to be available online for the foreseeable future. When compared to 2019, there has been rapid online development and changes in the way that online education is taught.  

What are the challenges that all of us face in learning/teaching online?

One of the main obstacles to online learning is a lack of strong and stable internet connections, as the ones commonly used at home have either low bandwidth or have reached their capacity. Because of connectivity issues, students may miss out on some of the instruction. Students may become disoriented if they do not have a friend sitting next to them to check what they have said.

It's difficult to keep students engaged during online lectures without a teacher's physical presence and face-to-face contact. Furthermore, a major concern is linked to science labs (physics, chemistry, etc.), which are impossible to put into practice without in-person instruction and courses that rely heavily on hands-on work.

You may not be able to see your students' reactions as clearly as you would in a face-to-face classroom to determine whether they understand what you're saying.

So, The most common difficulties that  students face while taking online classes are:

1. Problems with technology/ internet
2. Time management and distractions 
3. staying motivated
4. understanding course expectation
5. lack of in-person interaction
6. Adapting to unfamiliar technology
7. Uncertainty about the future

What do you think students should be taught when working online to avoid problems?

 Students should be taught the following to avoid problems in online teaching:

1) Good time management: 

• It encourages students to be more productive – students should know exactly what they will study before sitting down at their desk.
• It allows them to track their progress – stick to their schedule and they will know they are on track to complete everything.

• It reduces guilt—if a student knows he has met his or her goals for the day, he or she can spend his or her free time without worrying about his or her studies.

2) Self-Motivation:

Self-motivation is important because it prevents students from relying on others and encourages them to use their strengths to achieve their goals. It also assists them in ensuring that they work on weaknesses.

3)  work together with their peers:

Peer support can improve people's well-being,  larger support networks, and higher self-esteem, confidence, and social skills.

4) While learning online, students should avoid being distracted by social media by:

• closing social media apps and websites.
• reducing their smartphone usage.
• Turn off your phone or place it somewhere out of reach.

How To Be a Digital Citizen

 

This year, classrooms are going digital in greater numbers than ever before. We are seeing a variety of devices in the classroom, even as early as kindergarten. Tablets are being used by students to conduct research, practice skills, create, code, and much more. As our students enter the next generation of learning, we, as teachers, must keep up with classroom trends. As we use technology in our instruction and planning, we should set a good example for our students.

Most teachers are afraid of technology. In our classrooms, tablets, laptops, educational software, and other types of technology can be overwhelming. Keeping up with the ever-changing wave of technological advancements can turn a teacher off from the idea of converting their classroom to a digital one. To become a digital teacher, teachers must take one step at a time. We must also recognize that not all schools and districts are the same. Not every school has iPads for every student. Some schools hardly have any teacher workstations equipped with a computer or laptop. 

My first suggestion in becoming a digital teacher is to become acquainted with the devices in your classroom. Take the devices home for a few days and practice on them if possible. On the tablets, you can play games, type a letter to a friend, search the internet, or listen to music. Learning about these devices and their capabilities will help you come up with creative ways to use them in your classroom.

Be self-assured and solicit assistance from your students. Your students are the experts in technology. Allow them to teach you something for a change; you will be amazed at what your students can teach you.  

Each week, create digital lesson plans. You will gain knowledge and expertise in online programs, uploading, editing, and a variety of other topics. You will appreciate the convenience of being able to access your lesson plans from any device. Google Drive allows you to save and edit your plans, as well as make changes and view them on your phone, computer, or tablet. 

Finally, before implementing technology in your classroom, determine your desired outcomes. Don't use the iPads in your classroom just to say you did or to check something off your list. Technology requires a goal. Technology is a tool that you and your students can use. Find a passion for it and demonstrate it to your students on a daily basis. The more you incorporate it for a meaningful purpose, the better it will be for your children, and they will accomplish more.

Tools For Online Assessment

 The term assessment in education refers to the wide range of methods or tools used by educators to evaluate, measure, and document students' academic readiness, learning progress, skill acquisition, or educational needs.

You teach in the twenty-first century, which means you plan, share, and learn using the internet and digital tools. Hence, whether for blended learning, a flipped classroom, eLearning, better communicating learning progress to parents, or students tracking their own mastery, online assessments could be a boon to your teaching. The following are some tools:

1) Google Form: Google Forms is popular among teachers because it is quick and easy to create and grade quizzes. 

2) Poll Every Where: Students can engage and teachers can receive and provide immediate feedback thanks to the quick setup and interactive features.

3) Menti meter: This tool can be used to create dynamic presentations that balance information and interaction.

4) Jam board: A whiteboard application that can be used across multiple devices for collaboration. This application allows students to collaborate and create presentations.

5) Nearpod: Near pod is a classroom tool that allows teachers to engage students in interactive lessons. Near pod enables you to create and share lessons that sync across devices and encourage student participation, as well as evaluate student responses through detailed reporting.

6) Padlet: Padlet is a simple online board that allows teachers and students to share and collaborate. It works on any device and allows you to share virtually any type of information–text, links, upload files, photos, videos, and virtually any type of response. You can also design your pages in a variety of ways.

 

Integrating Technology into Teaching

The term "technology integration in education" simply refers to the use of technology to improve the learning experience of students. The use of various types of technology in the classroom, including a virtual classroom, results in learners who are actively engaged with learning objectives.

There are numerous reasons why technology is an important part of school learning. Whether we like it or not, technology is everywhere, and our students must be familiar with it in order to succeed in  education and the business world. Some of the reasons for the importance of technology in education are as follows:

Technology has the potential to improve teacher-student relationships:

When teachers successfully integrate technology into subject areas, they advance to the positions of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology enables us to make teaching and learning more meaningful and enjoyable. Students can also collaborate with their classmates using technological applications.

Technology keeps students interested:

This generation's students are referred to as technological learners. They learn best when they are more interactive, and technology enables them to do so.

There are no limitations with technology:

Having access to information outside of the book allows students to learn a concept in a variety of ways. Teachers can come up with innovative ways to engage their students in their learning. Technology has altered the learning environment, making it more hands-on. Schools across the country have a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, and children do not always have access to the resources they require. The use of technology in schools aids in closing that gap.

In my opinion, technology enables teachers to create creative and interactive classrooms. Effective educators recognize the value of incorporating technology into the classroom and come up with new ways to make lessons more meaningful. As a learner, technology has influenced my school life as a tool for finding new information. So, technology is extremely beneficial to us as students.

EDUC561

 What I enjoy? 

EDUC 561 is full of new experiences; every time I attend a meeting, it is different from the last. Furthermore, learning how to use technology in the classroom is extremely beneficial. This course is a wide door that enriches our knowledge about using media and technology in the learning process; it is extremely beneficial in avoiding frustration with students by using apps and tools that are simple and functional at the same time and serve the goal of teaching. 

I really enjoyed the fundamentals of technology. I learn that technological design and problem-solving employ an applications and tools process in order to achieve a desired goal, target, or result. This course let me prefer technology in teaching because I believe that it makes learning more interesting and fun. Things to enjoy in this class:

•  helps connect students to the real world using many applications 
• encourages collaboration

I thought the class was quite good, and I believe I learned a great deal from it. It was actually my favorite course. We have the most wonderful Doctor. She motivates us to do our work and encourages us to do our best, which makes it enjoyable. She compelled us to learn, and I enjoy learning, so it was my favorite course.