Smart Math Tools

Attended a conference in Baltimore last week on the NEW Smart Math Tools. During the training, tools like the Rule, Compass, and Protractor that are available on the current Notebook versions to all users were introduced. The new Smart Math Tools are an add-on feature to Notebook and costs about $150 for two licenses. These new tools are brand new and have a lot of potential for classroom use...that is, if you are a middle school math teacher. After sitting through three hours of training, I realized there are very few features (without really stretching the imagination) would help align to Maryland state standards for primary grades. I wasn't sold on this new software, as it is in the beginning stages and still has plenty of kinks to work out.

Some of the best features I envisioned for a 1st grade class are the following:
1. Interactive Numberline - this is much better than the ones previously offered in Notebook. This numberline can be adjusted to different mins and maxs and you can adjust the interval of numbers on the line. I think number lines are a great tool for students to use, and this one is better than the rest.
2. Interactive Shapes - Takes regular shapes and makes them adjustable. You can pull on vertices. This is especially nice for triangles so that you can demonstrate the many different appearances of triangles.
3. Shape Splitter - you can divide shapes into fractions to show equal parts.
4. Shape Free-Form Tool - allows you to create shapes by tapping out the vertices. I used this on a Hexagon picture to show the shapes that could be used to "fill" the shape.

There's still a few downfalls to this product though. First, it doesn't have many tools appropriate for grades below 5th. It has great graphing features, but that doesn't help me in 1st grade. Like Notebook's Text Recognition feature, Math Tools will recognize numbers and equations that are handwritten and put it into text. This is VERY fickle and doesn't respond well to anything but perfect penmenship. In the end, its too frustrating to be useful.

Document Cam in Negative View

Third day of school. Yesterday I read a story to my class while showing the pictures on the document camera. I have a Samsung SDP-850 Compact Digital Presenter camera in my classroom. I like the way it works. Its easy to use and has impressive zoom capabilities. My only qualm is the poor lighting unit that plugs in. Students really liked being able to see them up on the "the big screen," making it like a slide show movie. The story was a big hit and they asked for it again. This time to change it up, I changed the output setting on the document camera to view as a Negative. Doing so flips all the colors like an old reel of film negatives, making blues look yellow and your skin look a haunting green color. Doing this definitely amped up the students' interest. I think this strategy will also be fun when re-reading our Themed readers each week.

The Importance of Sharing

I feel compelled to share the things I know. Why? Because only a very small percentage of what I know and do came from an original idea of my own design. Any teacher who is honest with him/herself will tell you that ideas come from everywhere and borrowed. I will try to give credit when its due. Besides, as teachers we all have the same goal: To provide the best possible education for our students. I believe collaboration and discussion are critical for that.

Another reason I feel compelled to share ideas. When I first began teaching, I knew nothing. College only gets you in the starting block. A first year teacher doesn't have files with theme activities or ideas. That has to be collected over time. My first two years were dependent on a few individuals that helped by offering their resources and experiences. The only thing I realized I could give back was my knowledge of technology and the ability to help others use it. So even though, I've gotten much better as a teacher, I still want to do my part to voice my experience and expertise in education.

Introduction and Purpose

Hello. My name is Patrick Kennedy, a teacher in Charles County, MD public schools. I've worked for 5 years as a kindergarten teacher and am now serving my second year as a first grade teacher. I am committed to providing my students with the best learning environment I can provide. Incorporating technology into my everyday classroom routines and lessons not only enhances learning, but it also makes it a fun environment for teaching. Our school has been gifted with many technology components including Smartboards, response pads, document cameras and an abundance of software. I'm using this blog to critique products, share ideas and resources I've collected, and provide feedback on the activities. I have a true passion for using technology and I love providing others with training and tips that will increase their comfort in using it in the classroom. I want to find myself in a position where I can work with teachers and administration to research products, make technology purchase decisions, train staff and students, and provide consistent resources and activities for teachers to make every classroom infused with technology. Perhaps someday my school district will recognize this talent and enthusiasm and place me in a position where I can achieve these goals!