Final Project Menu

Content Standards
Content Instruction
Lesson Structure
Assessment of Student Performance
Technology
Survey

Final Project - Technology

The technologies required for this project are an LCD projector or smartboard and computers with internet access for teachers and students.

Teacher will use an LCD projector (or smartboard) to model accessing the website and playing the World Maths Day game. Teacher will use the computer to check on students’ progress on the website.

Students will use computers to access World Maths Day game in school and at home (with parents’ assistance).

Final Project - Assessment of Student Performance

Teacher has access to the information on students’ progress on the World Maths Day website, such as time spent on game and number of problems answered correctly. Teacher will check students’ progress, which will count towards their homework grade.

Final Project - Lesson Structure

This will be a two-week project, leading up to the World Math Day in March. Before the introductory lesson, the teacher will need to register onto the World Maths Day website and create an account for each student.

The introductory lesson will take place in the computer lab, where each student will work individually on their own computer. Teacher should write the URL of the World Maths Day website on the board.

Teacher will use to the LCD projector (or a smartboard if there is one) to show students how to open Internet Explorer (IE) by double-clicking the IE icon. Then demonstrate where to type the URL of the World Maths Day website. While the students are accessing the website, teacher will pass out the individual log-in name and password for each student and assist whoever needs help. After that, model how to log onto the website with the log-in name and password. Next, click the “Start Game” button on the screen to demonstrate how to start the game. Model the World Maths Day game. Explain when you (students) know the answer to the math problem (ie, 2+3), you must find the number (ie. 5) on the keyboard, press that number and “enter.” At the end of the class, show student how to log out of the website.

As part of homework, students will need a computer and Internet connection in order to access the World Maths Day site. Teacher will send home a note with the student’s log-in name, password, and the URL of the World Maths Day website. Parents are expected to assist students in accessing the website.

Final Project - Content Instruction

The goals for this lesson is to let students know that doing Math is fun and to encourage the use of technology at school and home.

Students will learn and better remember the addition and subtraction facts using the World Maths Day game. In addition, students will also learn to access a website using Internet Explorer.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the World Math Day in March.

Final Project - Content Standards

Curriculum Standards

Grade One Mathematics Content Standard 2.1:
- Know the addition fact (sums to 20) and corresponding subtraction facts and commit them to memory.

Technology Standards

ISTE Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
- Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

Checklist #3 - PowerPoint

Checklist #4 - Google Form

Result of Survey<< click here

Random Survey

Checklist #5 - Youtube video

Social Networking Reflection

Facebook is one of the most commonly used social networks nowadays. I personally love it! I moved around a lot when I was young, so my friends are all over the world. Facebook is a good tool for me to reconnect and keep in touch with them. However, I am a little hesitant on the idea of using facebook in an education setting.

Anyone over 13 can create a facebook account; however, the wide range of information on facebook is not necessarily appropriate for students of such a young age. I feel that age 13 is still too young to understand and to make responsible choices of what information should they browse through. Many people use facebook to upload photos and their current status, but some are unaware of the importance of changing their privacy settings. Without a secured setting, their personal information might be accessible to anyone. It is important for the teacher to discuss the significance of privacy issue with students if he or she is going to start a class discussion on facebook. There are also many different applications in facebook. They might be a distraction when the teacher is trying to explain the project and model it on facebook during class with the students. Another problem that might arise when using facebook for a class project or discussion is getting parent permission. Many parents are still doubtful about facebook. Teachers should inform the parents of the content and the purpose of the project.

With the increased availability of Internet access, it seems as though everyone is using some kinds on social networking. I didn’t know much about social networking when I first experienced it in end of middle school. The only thing I remember was that it was fun chatting with my friends in England and Hong Kong. I talked to random people when I was bored too. When I think about it now, my action was quite imprudent. Since social networking is getting more and more widespread, schools should educate the students on the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking.

ISTE Standards Reflection

The National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S) is a guideline for teachers on how should technology be implemented in the classroom to improve learning experience of students. It stated that teachers should facilitate and inspire student learning, design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments, model digital-age work and learning, and promote and model digital responsibility. Other than using technology to enhance student learning, the NETS•S also suggested teachers to engage in professional growth and improve their profession as a teacher (these are from Colin Quinton’s blog).

I agree with what the standards have stated; however, in reality, not all teachers are able to carry out the NETS•S in the classroom due to lack of technology resources and administration and parent support. With the budget cut in education these couple years, it’s making the situation even worse in some school districts. I am very fortunate that there is a computer lab at the elementary school that I am working at, and all the classes have a chance to use the lab at least once a week. My K-1 class gets to try different computer software which helps them on phonics and reading each week. Since technology is so widely use nowadays, I believe it is good for the children to have exposure to computer in a young age. Although there are enough technology resources at the school, the technology support is very limited. There is only 1 technology support staff for the entire school district. Therefore, when there is a problem with the computer during class, it is pretty much down to the teacher/aides to figure out what is wrong. And most of the time this means teaching the lesson without the use of technology.

Teachers, I believe, should also have a positive attitude on acquiring knowledge of new technology. Many teachers use email as a method to communicate with parents, and some even set up classroom blogs. In my old school, we have class website set up for the teachers to upload homework log, newsletter and photos. At the beginning of the school year, there was a workshop on how to manage the website all of the teacher assistants. One first grade teachers actually came on her own time and joined us in the training session. I was impressed by her eager-to-learn attitude.

As I am working toward becoming a classroom teacher, I would like to try my best to follow the National Education Technology Standards for Students. My hope is to promote students’ interest in technology by modeling the use of different technology in the classroom. I would like to let the students know that technology is a very useful tool in finding information; however, they need to use it responsibly.

Reflection

Your list is a good guideline on how we can implement technology in the classroom; however, it's sometimes difficult to actually do them.

I worked at an international school in Hong Kong for the past 2 years. At my old school, we had a lot of technology resources (20 laptops per cluster, smartboard, etc), but we only had 1 tech person. There weren't many workshops for the teachers on the different programs they can use to help students in class. It was on the teachers to talk to others and try out the new software themselves. It will be a lot more beneficial to both students and teachers if there are more support.