Blog Post #12

1. Watch the video Math vs. Broccoli (2:21)

Think about what you have heard and write a two or more paragraphs following the requirements in writing a Quality Blog Post.

In the video Math vs. Broccoli, it discusses how the United States is in need of people who are qualified in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The video goes on to discuss how over 50% of the Economic expansion in the Unites States are STEM jobs. The problem is that students in Elementary and Middle school are failing math. This is a problem because 60% of new jobs will require skills in the STEM-related fields. Many teachers become frustrated with math related materials and by the 4th grade students begin to give up on math. The plan is to stop students from failing math “by changing what we teach and how we teach it.” This could be done by giving student’s visual interactive lessons and teachers will teach with digital lessons.

I believe that math is a very weak area for most students. Math does become very challenging in the fourth grade because that is when students begin using word problems. I believe if teachers used more visual interactive lessons the students will be able to get a better understanding of math. It is said that boys are better at math than girls, but I believe that it is now equal. Math is used in every area of your life. Math is a boring subject in when you read the problem on paper and complete it on paper. When taking my paper based Praxis test, the area in which I struggled the most was math. But once I took the test on the computer it was easy to complete the math problems. Math needs to be fun and exciting like science. Math should be more of a hands on subject because students are using their hands more.

2. Search the site Apple in Education
Find an app for math and discuss how you would you this app in your classroom. Sushi Monster is a great app which is compatible for iPhones and IPods’.

This game would be used in the math center on the iPods to help the students who are weak in addition and multiplication. The students would be allowed to practice on Sushi Monster before taking math drills. I would also use the game to keep up with the progress the students are making in the area in which the struggle. When student’s complete a level an email would be sent to me informing me if the students are ready for testing.

Teaching Science and Math

3. Read the blog post How to encourage Critical Thinking in Science and Math by David R. Wetzel. Get to know David Wetzel as a teacher. Write two or more paragraphs summarizing David R Wetzel blog post and your opinion on his post.

David Wetzel is science and math teacher for grades k-12. He also has taught in continuing education, adult education, and the integration of educational technology in teaching and learning. Dr. David Wetzel’s blog post How to Encourage Critical Thinking in science and Math discusses how teaching students to use critical thinking in math and science can be a very difficult. Students who are able to use critical thinking can “move beyond the basic comprehension and rote memorization. “ Moving students beyond this level will help increase their “awareness when calculating, analyzing, problem solving, and evaluating.” This will allow the students to think outside of the box or become more aware of their lessons.

Dr. Wetzel discusses how to help students gain the ability to use their critical thinking skills. He believes that the teachers should show examples and the students should follow the teachers lead. Dr. Wetzel believes that teachers should “practice what they preach.” Dr. Wetzel suggested that the teachers should ask the students higher ordered thinking questions to help the students gain the understanding of critical thinking. He believes that the teachers should avoid questions that are easily answered. Questions teachers should avoid are yes and no answers. Teachers should ask questions that are above the child thinking ability.

I believe that Dr. Wetzel blog was a great post. Math is a very hard subject for most students. In my opinion, if teachers challenge students critical thinking ability they would become better at math. If teachers would combine technology and critical thinking, students would rank higher in their math abilities. I believe that students are poor in math because the teachers are poor in math. Math is a boring subject for both the teacher and the students. In my opinion, math is missing critical thinking skills for both the teachers and students and technology in the classroom. When a teacher combines the two it will make the teachers and students interested in math.