Teaching algebra remotely is challenging to say the least, but managing without proper technology tools has been incredibly frustrating. As the only online public school in CCSD, we have experienced unprecedented growth this year and the school has been unable to provide the tools I need to present exciting (and legible) lessons for my students learning at home!
An iPad and pencil will provide me with an additional device to present, monitor, and engage students while simultaneously increasing my ability to answer students' math questions on the fly. Without a notepad and stylus, it is extremely difficult to write out complicated math equations that students can actually read, limiting my ability to quickly and effectively respond to student questions. For example, when teaching students to create linear equations in one variable to model real world situations (A.CED.A.3), it is often necessary to provide multiple real-world situations to help students recognize, visualize, and analyze the process. The ability to instantly hand-draw visual representations in response to student questions will be a game changer!
Lastly, the portability of the iPad and pencil will allow me to best answer student questions at all hours of the day because of the additional portability it will offer me. With 290 students currently, the questions come 24 hours a day and let's face it, students lose interest completing their work at home while waiting for a response when stuck on a math question. The ability to quickly offer some tips, or handwrite out a similar example, notes, or vocabulary while I'm on the move will greatly reduce their wait time and increase motivation and confidence.
About my class
Teaching algebra remotely is challenging to say the least, but managing without proper technology tools has been incredibly frustrating. As the only online public school in CCSD, we have experienced unprecedented growth this year and the school has been unable to provide the tools I need to present exciting (and legible) lessons for my students learning at home!
An iPad and pencil will provide me with an additional device to present, monitor, and engage students while simultaneously increasing my ability to answer students' math questions on the fly. Without a notepad and stylus, it is extremely difficult to write out complicated math equations that students can actually read, limiting my ability to quickly and effectively respond to student questions. For example, when teaching students to create linear equations in one variable to model real world situations (A.CED.A.3), it is often necessary to provide multiple real-world situations to help students recognize, visualize, and analyze the process. The ability to instantly hand-draw visual representations in response to student questions will be a game changer!
Lastly, the portability of the iPad and pencil will allow me to best answer student questions at all hours of the day because of the additional portability it will offer me. With 290 students currently, the questions come 24 hours a day and let's face it, students lose interest completing their work at home while waiting for a response when stuck on a math question. The ability to quickly offer some tips, or handwrite out a similar example, notes, or vocabulary while I'm on the move will greatly reduce their wait time and increase motivation and confidence.
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