Blogging in the Math Classroom Theresa Meade MathScience Innovation Center

What does this mean? An original post by Karl Fisch for a faculty meeting in August 2006 It’s now been seen over 5 million times

An original post by Karl Fisch for a faculty meeting in August 2006

It’s now been seen over 5 million times

What does it mean for you? What was your reaction? Do we need to change? What kind of commitments do we need to make?

What was your reaction?

Do we need to change?

What kind of commitments do we need to make?

What does it mean for our students? How can they connect to the subjects we teach? How will they communicate about learning?

How can they connect to the subjects we teach?

How will they communicate about learning?

NCTM Standards Instructional programs should enable all students to organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking; communicate coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others; analyze the thinking and strategies of others; use the language of math to express ideas

Instructional programs should enable all students to organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking;

communicate coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others;

analyze the thinking and strategies of others;

use the language of math to express ideas

Meeting the standards Traditional methods 21 st century methods

Traditional methods

21 st century methods

Why blog? It gives writing a purpose It involves different learning styles It can inspire students Your students can inspire others Students who don’t talk in class may be more willing to “talk” online

It gives writing a purpose

It involves different learning styles

It can inspire students

Your students can inspire others

Students who don’t talk in class may be more willing to “talk” online

Uses of blogs Simplest format: tutor blog Class blog: includes interactivity between teacher and students Learner blog: individual space which showcases a group or a student and their work

Simplest format: tutor blog

Class blog: includes interactivity between teacher and students

Learner blog: individual space which showcases a group or a student and their work

Sites Many choices available Think about your goals and school requirements Check them out!

Many choices available

Think about your goals and school requirements

Check them out!

Issues to be aware of Acceptable use policies Keeping parents informed Reviewing policies before use Teaching rules for non-posting of names, emails, and locations Setting expectations for tone, respect, and consequences

Acceptable use policies

Keeping parents informed

Reviewing policies before use

Teaching rules for non-posting of names, emails, and locations

Setting expectations for tone, respect, and consequences

Tips

Suggestions Don’t be afraid to try it out Make your students responsible for learning Keep your principal and parents informed Encourage feedback

Don’t be afraid to try it out

Make your students responsible for learning

Keep your principal and parents informed

Encourage feedback

Questions? Thank you!