Teaching Mathematics with Technology

Professor Hlas
hlascs (@) uwec.edu
Office hours

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
—Arthur C Clarke

Course Information

"The mathematics and computer science program shall include competencies in both subcategories" (PI 34). To achieve this goal, we will use project-based learning to explore technology representations designed to help students understand mathematical concepts and procedures. These technologies will likely include:

More course information is available on Canvas.

Structure

Required Materials

  1. Growth mindset!
  2. Common Core State Standards-Math
  3. Graphing calculator (TI-84 recommended)

Recommendations

  1. Bring your own internet-connected device.
  2. Attend the annual WMC conference (in spring!)
  3. Join professional organizations (look for student memberships):
  4. Become a Math Lab tutor
  5. Follow mathematics teacher blogs

Grading

It is important to accurately show your mathematical thinking and to communicate clearly. On every assignment, the preservice teacher starts at zero then may earn "technology points" (TP) for demonstration of technology skills in their solutions. If any concerns arise regarding grading, contact the instructor outside of class in a timely manner.

Warm-up activities

Warm-up activities are intended to be completed before class and are designed to prepare preservice teachers for that day's in-class activities. These activities are more effective when everyone attends class fully prepared. "Eyeglasses" in the calendar will indicate warm-up activities.

Weekly projects (7 × 20 TP)

Problems from class and discussion questions will be due most weeks.

Group technology activity (55 TP)

Groups will research, plan, and execute an activity for fellow classmates that involves student brought technology, not classroom tech.

Individual tech activity (56 TP)

Each student will develop a technology activity designed to introduce a mathematics topic from the Common Core State Standards-Math. This activity will include two parts, a screencast followed by in-class teaching.

Fine print

Attendance A record of attendance will be periodically collected. This is done to maintain accurate class rosters and to assess the impact of attendance on student achievement. Poor attendance may impact group activities.

If you will be absent, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed by checking D2L or contacting fellow classmates. Authorized absences (school functions or emergencies) may be made up for full credit. Assignments for non-authorized absences may be completed late for 75% credit if the assignment has not been returned to the class yet. All other make-ups receive 50% credit and must be completed within two weeks of the original due date or the last day of classes, whichever occurs first.

Entry-level switching The Department of Mathematics allows students within entry level mathematics courses (i.e., 010, 020, 104, 106, 108, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, or 246) to move up to a higher numbered course during the first two weeks of a semester or move down during the first three weeks. Please contact the instructor for more details.

Midterm grades will be based on percentage of points completed at the time of midterm submission. Final grades will be rounded up to the nearest whole number to determine a letter grade. Individual scores or grades will not modified because they represent a student's progress in the class throughout the semester.

Student Accommodations Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact the instructor and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Centennial Hall 2106 to determine accommodations before contacting the instructor.

Academic Integrity Any academic misconduct in this course as a serious offense. The disciplinary procedures and penalties for academic misconduct are described on the UW-Eau Claire Dean of Students web site.

Civility As members of this class, we are members of a larger learning community where excellence is achieved through civility. Our actions affect everyone in our community. Courtesy is reciprocated and extends beyond our local setting, whether in future jobs, classes, or communities. Civility is not learned individually, it is practiced as a community.