Transcript X 2

Apply Constructivism and
Technology in Mathematics
Presented by Vi Thai
Purpose
• Find the effects of doing hands-on math
activities with the use of technology.
• Case study on constructivism in middle
school mathematics.
• Had a 6th grade student work on
PowerPoint to created math lessons and
observe any changes in behavior and/or
grades.
What is Constructivism?
• Theory that states learning is the result of
doing.
• We construct our own understanding of the
world by reflecting on our experiences.
Why constructivism in mathematics?
• Hands-on activities allows for students to build
their own working knowledge of ideas and
definitions in the math class.
• Math is not a subject known for integrating such
hands-on activities with technology.
• Even with the integration of laptops in the middle
school, there still was not much talk about how
this may be used in the mathematics classroom.
Methodology
• Find a 6th grade “C” math student (“Jim”) who has
a desire and motivation to increase his math grade.
• Student will be under the impression that he will
use PowerPoint to create a lesson and this lesson
will be used to help students who are struggling in
math.
• Student also understood that the sessions together
may help him with his math skills.
Timeline
• Work with student on Tuesdays and
Thursdays from April 1st until April 15th.
• 40-minute study hall.
• Total of five sessions.
Important Note
• Cannot state whether or not any change in
Jim’s behavior/grade was a direct result of
the activities that he did or because of my
working one-on-one with math skills.
• Can only state what I observed and cannot
make any generalizations.
Results
• Found that Jim was extremely eager to work with
PowerPoint.
• Having Jim work for a purpose (other than for a
grade) seemed to increase his desire to perform
well and create a product he could be proud of.
• Jim’s teacher was happy to see that he was smiling
whenever we worked together.
• Have not heard back from his teacher about any
change in math grade.
Excerpt of Jim’s PowerPoint
Math Skills
Multiplying three digits by one
digit numbers
Step1: Multiply the ones.
968
X
2
6
Step 2: Carry the tens place.
(The number carried is over the
tens place)
1
968
X
2
6
Step 3: Multiply the tens.
(don’t forget to add the number
carried over!)
1
968
X
2
36
Step 4: Carry the hundreds.
(The carried number is over the
hundreds place.)
11
968
X
2
36
Step 5: multiply the hundreds.
(Don’t forget to add the number carried over.)
(You don’t need to carry the thousands place
value because there aren’t any more digits
to put the carried number on top of.
11
968
X
2
1936
PowerPoint by “Jim”
Final paper
Letter to Parent
Letter to Principal
Initial Proposal