Algebra

Why Do We Learn Mathematics?

 Mathematics is a language!

It is very important to teach our students the goal of the subject they are learning or they will learn. for example, what is  the goal of studying mathematics?

The students must learn and must know why they would learn math in order to understand it. Mathematics is a language, it is the language of the numbers, and everything, every subject depends on numbers its language is mathematics. It is the language of the SCIENCES, the basis of sciences and engineering also. It is very important in our lives, it helps us think logically and increases out critical thinking. Also, it helps us analyze everything. Math is everywhere around us. It makes us think creatively and critically.

In my opinion, learning would be more enjoyable and more easy if we include the mathematic games and activities and make it be a part of the curriculum. 

Chess and math puzzles can help students increase their thinking, help them focus more, develop visual attention and decision making.

Mathematics is around us, it is a language that is used all over the world. People don't need to translate it in order to be understandable. It helps us develop our minds, our skills ( Problem-solving skills) and its laws help us a lot in our lives.

What I Can Do Now That I Wasn't Able To Do a Year Ago

 A year ago, CORONA VIRUS had spread in the whole world and this spread oblige the people to stay at home and work from home which means work online. Before corona we weren't able to use most of the technological instruments such as: zoom, google classroom, google forms....etc. But when online teaching had started we were obliged to work with it and this helps us a lot. I can open my class while sitting and explain the lesson comfortably. I can also as a student attend my classes while sitting and drinking coffee. I can post the assessment on the students emails while before it is necessary to correct the students agendas. Also, I can use google forms to do an exam which can correct the exam and directly put the mark. But before our job was to correct the exam papers and then put the marks. Also, before some students don't follow the rules and answer some questions without raising their hands and without taking permission but now by zoom or other application the teacher could mute all the class and whenever someone wants to answer she/he could unmute him/her and allow her/him to answer.   It makes the teaching and the learning process easier. It helps us improve our skills by attending and participating in many workshops, presentations that improves our skills. This helps us in creating ways to engage our students in learning. In addition to that, it helps us manage our time and be more organized. 

Challenges I face when Learning/ Teaching Online.

 Education has changed a lot in the past two years. Corona virus has been spread in the whole world and the schools chose the online and distance learning instead of being without teaching because the physical learning has stopped. So, education has been developed and schools inserted the technological tools into learning and teaching that helps a lot. But, instead of this development the teachers have faced so many challenges while teaching online. Besides, students have faced my problems while learning online ( first they felt that it is difficult to deal with).

And here are some challenges that may be faced while teaching/ learning online :

•  the teachers would face challenges in attention of students. (they put mute and maybe not paying attention)
• the internet ( not always being stable , not always good connection)
• the electricity.
• getting the students motivated.
• attendance (not all students have computer or phone ).
• being able to connect with students.

The Ways to Avoid Problems While Working Online

 What are the ways that students should be taught when working online to avoid problems?

While working online we may face a lot of problems especially in teaching. So, teachers should be aware of all these problems and he/she should create a great environment of acceptance which means accept all the problems and develop ways to solve it. The teacher should create ways to encourage students follow it in order to avoid problems.

The teacher should teach the students:

• to be polite, respectful while working online because sometimes the internet will be not stable.
• how to protect their profiles and emails by following the security rules.
• follow her/his instructions while doing assessments or exams ( write your full names, ID, emails...)
• how to increase cooperative environment while doing the assessment.
• to be good digital citizens.
• focus on their online work and manage their time.

How to be a Digital Citizen

 Technology is developing nowadays and this development helps a lot in changes the world. And one of the technological instruments that makes our lives better is the internet. Nowadays, it is a part of our lives, we are using it in everything we do. Such as: researches, maps, connection with other despite of the distance, knowing the news of the whole world using TV or social media, also learning -online learning-. But we should choose how to use it. We should choose to be good digital citizens not bad ones.

What is a digital citizen?

Digital citizen is the person that uses technology, mainly internet in his daily life. He has a lot of skills regarding the use of internet and other technological instruments. 

There are two types of digital citizens. The first type is the bad citizen, he is the one that use the technological instruments mainly internet in a bad way that destroys many things in his life. He misuses the internet and has a bad knowledge and skills in it. While the other type is the good citizen, this type uses the internet in a very good way that helps in developing his life into better. He helps and teaches his students the technological skills, helps them in posting the creative, helpful, optimistic posts. He also encourages the use of computer, websites, projects in order to be more skillful.

In order to be good digital citizen you should:

• Be Helpful
• Encourage Thinking
• Comment and reply in respectful way
• Post the things that are helpful and encourage creativity
• Protect your profile by using the needed privacy and security
• Connect with others 
• Spread positivity

As a teacher I should be a good digital citizen and I should teach my students to be good ones also. My role should depend on planting all these above ideas in them. I should let them think, see, talk, post in a positive way. Also, develop all the skills of using internet. They should be good digital citizens and know how to use the technology. All of us -teachers and students- must be aware of the misuse of the internet because this misuse will lead to many issues that are harmful. Such as: being bullied, or accounts could be hacked. So, I should teach them how to protect their profiles and let them follow the steps of security and privacy.

Tools that can be used in online assessment

Assessments help the teacher know her/his students understanding of the topics. The teacher can choose which tool to use in order to post assessments for students. And when the teacher know her students knowledge, understanding, learning styles she can differentiate her students and put specific assessments that helps them produce and become more engaged.

Some of the tools that can be used in the online assessments are:

• Mentimeter

• 
  Padlet

• Pull Everywhere

• Google forms

• Emotional check in

• Kahoot!

• Quizlet

Integrating Technology Into Teaching

In my opinion, integrating technology into teaching is very important. It keeps students engaged and helps them in understanding the concepts more. Besides, it give the students a chance to be more creative, gives them a chance to learn in the way they feel comfortable with. It helps in creating background information for students. Also, it improves the teachers and students skills. By this, the teacher can use differentiated instructions for the students that concentrates and care on their learning styles and multiple intelligences. 

According to me, I prefer using some technological apps such as mentimeter, padlet, games... in order to engage my students and not to let them become bored. Because mathematics is somehow abstract ,I always need to engage my students and keep them concentrated so I use technological apps that encourages them to learn more and let them always concentrated.

EDUC 561 Class

1. What I like about this course?
This course is so helpful, it improves the teacher’s skills and make the teacher be more creative.

It keeps us more engaged and interested while using the apps and practicing. It helps us a lot in our teaching process and helps us know how to engage our students in answering questions online. It also helps us engage students more in learning and gaining knowledge.

2. What I wish was different in this course?

The most thing that I wish was different in this course is to be on campus because physical attendance is more effective and promotes better understanding for the students.