Rikasneed's Blog

Teaching Fractions

rikasneed — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:44:45 +0000

The Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinos/as (CAMELA) used four students to show how they compared fractions. They completed a “comparing fractions” activity sheet from the Investigations unit so that a group of preservice teachers could observe how they each approached solved problems. This course was generally designed to examine K-8 mathematics exploring students’ explanations of multiplication or division, but fractions seemed to be a difficult area that needed to be addressed as well.

The two sections the program focused on were student’s written work and their verbal explanations of their written work. The teachers were suppose to use this to understand how each student understood comparing fractions based on their work and their written work, then try to figure out how they could approach teaching fractions to students based their own understanding and the understanding of their students. A lot of teachers noted that it would be important to expose students to different representations in order to help them make sense of fractional concepts. For example, teachers could use realistic things so that a child could relate. The preservice teachers were able to reflect and use their knowledge of fractional representations to figure out what would be most beneficial to students while developing MKTF.

Selecting and Creating Mathematical Task

rikasneed — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:05:19 +0000

The Selecting and Creating Mathematical Task made a lot of valid points in reference to what and how students learn. I agree that when classifying task as higher level, you must consider variables such as age, grade level, and experience. Obviously as we get older and advance in school, we learn that mathematical algorithms are more challenging. During this time, a math problem designed for a third grader would be challenging for a second grader, but not so challenging for a fifth grader. Just the same, that third grade problem may not be a challenge for a second grader who attended UNCC’s math camp.

The next thing Stein and Smith discovered was that a good task falls in one of the following categories: Memorization, Procedures with connections, Procedures without connections, and doing mathematics. Overall, each of these higher level task require effort that involves students to think about their actions when solving different algorithms while exploring different task and relationships. In my opinion, when students are introduced to this concept and are able to learn to think cognitively, they are more apt to understand and solve problems when approaching task that are challenging and require that higher level of thinking.

Copyright and Ethics

rikasneed — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:50:26 +0000

1- The use of the internet is a privilege, not a right and will be revoked for inappropriate or illegal use. It may also result in disciplinary or legal action.
2- Use of the internet must be in support of education, research, and must be consistent with the educational objectives of the school system. Therefore, use for personal shopping, viewing social networking sites for personal reasons, and gaming is prohibited.
3- Users should respect all copyright, trademark, and licensing agreements and laws, including seeking permission for use when required.
4- CMS installs WebTrack, a centralized software solution that provides internet control, monitoring, and filtering. It allows valuable online access, but restricts access to unwanted categories such as pornography, criminal skills, and alternative journals.
5- CMSNET is not responsible for damages suffered, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-delivers, service interruptions. Users accept personal responsibility for any information obtained from CMSNET.
6- Security on all computer systems is a high priority, especially with many users. Any attempt to tamper with the program or access the system as another user will result in cancellation of user privileges.
7- Media used in the classroom must be evaluated before being used in the classroom. There must a limited use of no more than 30 seconds on music under copyrighted laws.
8- Text material that may be copied legally is up to 10 percent of the total 1,000 words, whichever is less (work must be referenced).
9- The district is ultimately liable. The district must enforce its written policy, not
just post it. CMS will be monitoring the network and the stand alone
computers too.
10- CMSNET will be used in a responsible, efficient, and ethical manner. Unacceptable uses include violating copyright laws, forwarding personal communications without author’s prior consent, and distributing material protected by trade secret.

How can technology benefit student learning?

rikasneed — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:02:04 +0000

Technology can benefit student learning by providing students with exposure to sights, scenery, and ideas they may not ordinarily see. It allows them to enter a different world through technology by being a part of it which helps them get a better understanding. Students are able to use the internet for example, to access videos about what happens in outer space or pictures that mimic what actually happens during the water cycle. Students are generally more open-minded and in tune with this type of learning versus always having to read from textbooks.

What issues related to internet use exist in schools? How can you address them as a teacher?

rikasneed — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:04:10 +0000

Issues related to internet use in schools are the fact that schools now want students to be more self-directed and independent so they allow them to access the internet with little or no supervision. One of the issues I’ve seen in schools today is that students are more computer literate than some teachers and therefore are able to do things without teachers knowing. One of the advantages they have in most schools is that the computers provide a smart filter that will not allow you to go to some websites. Unfortunately, with most things, there is a way around getting through those smart filters to access websites that wouldn’t ordinarily be available.
As a teacher, I believe these issues can be addressed by informing students about the uses of the computer. Teachers can make sure they understand that using the computer is a privilege and if they abuse it, they will no longer have access to it. They will be provided with another alternative even if it means they do research using books or are prohibited from playing any educational games. In an effort to make sure consequences for abuse aren’t needed, there could be a set time for computer use where it can be monitored at all times.

Movie on Digital Media and Ethics

rikasneed — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:31:04 +0000

I agree with Howard Gardner, people know about ethics and choose whether or not they will be ethical. Some people use digital media for all intended purposes to find out information and use that information to their advantage be it for business purposes, school, or even for common researchers. Others on the other hand, abuse the use of it and unfortunately use it to their advantage to harm others. Digital media is a great tool that provides an abundance of information, ease of use and the ability to communicate; However, Gardener is correct in stating that we as adults (parents, teachers, etc.) must make sure that we inform our kids about the proper use of digital media. Kids become amused by the abundance of information they are able to access and things they can do from a central location. They weren’t use to times when there weren’t telephones and you actually had to go to someone’s house or you couldn’t see someone until you went to see them in person. With computers, you are able to chat, email, or even talk to someone online through your computer. To make things even better, webcams were invented so now you can see and talk to someone everyday even if they are in another part of the world. Unfortunately with all great things come pros and cons. We would like to believe that everyone is ethical, but the fact remains that not everyone cares about themselves and others.

Is It Fair?

rikasneed — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:40:43 +0000

I believe that it’s fair for the school to ask the Hernandez family to speak only English in their home because it would be in the best interest of the child. The family was aware that in order to get Rosa into this school that it would take making some sacrifices. On top of everything else that is being done, I think this is minor in comparison. I believe that the staff from the school should write the Hernandez family a letter explaining how speaking English would help Rosa progress faster being that she is already behind. Also explaining to them that the extra help at home will be needed to help her catch up because if not, it’s possible that Rosa will make little progress. They obviously want their daughter to be successful and seem willing to do whatever it takes. It’s just a matter of getting them to see how beneficial it would be for Rosa as well as the family. If they are moving into a new community where a lot of English is spoken, then it would benefit them to learn the language so that they are able to communicate and teach their children. In addition to this, they could even show the Hernandez family reports of how students were able to progress from having only English spoken in the home.

What are your impressions of the lesson planning process?

rikasneed — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:05:23 +0000

My impression of the lesson planning process is that it’s definitely a good tool for teachers to use. It forces teachers to think about how they will cover their lessons, making sure the objectives are covered and that the kids understand. This tool is also great because usually when you plan things just tend to run more smoothly. It also minimizes any down time in the classroom by making sure the kids are always engaged in work whether it be independently or as a group.

When I first looked at the template for the lesson plan I thought it would be really simple, but like the kids, I’m still learning….LOL!

Why should teachers care about developing students’ higher-order thinking skills?

rikasneed — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:55:43 +0000

Teachers should care about developing these skills because we shouldn’t just want our kids to know basic skills, but learn as much as possible to be really successful. In order to do this, it takes putting a little more effort into what you are doing which requires a different level of thinking. We want to teach kids to think on a higher level so that they will always go that extra mile and not just settle for doing what’s required of them. It not only sets the standards for school, but they will do it later in life when it comes to choosing a career, a significant other, or even passing that same thinking along to their kids.

rikasneed — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:02:55 +0000

I am pursuing a career in teaching because I have always had a passion for teaching and a desire to help others. When I attended grade school I worked in the After School Program and also did some tutoring at the local elementary school. In addition to this, my mom ran a tutorial program through the Oxford Housing Authority that I volunteered at each week. Then as a college student, I served as a tutor and mentor for Student Support Services my sophomore through senior year. You would think that I would have chosen a major during that time that would have led me to teaching, but I was being ignorant in the fact that I didn’t think I could live off of a teacher’s salary. Upon entering the corporate world, I learned that I didn’t get any fulfillment from the work I was doing and didn’t enjoy working twelve hour days so I started to reevaluate my life and ask myself what was something that I could see myself doing as a career. I realized that it was teaching which I had been doing all along and something that I should have continued to do because it was always in me.