Technology in K-8 Mathematics

Hello! I am continuing my Math Blog as I journey my way through another semester of the Mathematics Education Master's Program at UNLV. This Spring I have enrolled myself in CIE:627 Technology in K-8 Mathematics and CIG 621 Diagnostic Assessment School Mathematics. In my Technology class my professor has asked us to blog a little on the following topics.

About Me: My background in mathematics, technology and my goal(s) for this class

• Mathematics: I am currently on my third year of teaching 2nd Grade mathematics implementing the Investigations in Number, Data, and Space curriculum. I supplement my mathematics teaching with Number Talks and some Kathy Richardson assessments and Developing Number Concept games. As a teacher of many subject areas I enjoy teaching Mathematics the most. My personal mathematical background isn't very extensive (Calculus I) but I do enjoy the principles and thinking involved with the subject.

• Technology: I really find myself drawn to technology and often become excited to discover new ways of implementing technology into my instruction. Down the road I have considered taking more courses in technology to receive an endorsement in the area. In my classroom I utilize two classroom computers, my laptop with Thinking Maps software and Discovery Streaming Video, an Elmo, a SMARTboard, and I have recently received a bag of responders. I feel comfortable using my Elmo throughout the day. I enjoy creating Thinking Maps with students and sharing videos that match the curriculum I am focusing on. The SMARTboard was a new addition this year and I am slowly working it in daily and frequently throughout the day. Being that the responders are new, I haven't had an opportunity to play with them yet but I look forward to sharing them with my students in engaging opportunities. In the area of Language Arts and some Mathematics I occasionally use a voice recording device and an mp3 player as well.
  

• Goals: My primary goal of this course is to discover ways that my students can use the technology available in their independent practice and/or more frequently. I find that I can use the materials with confidence to some extent and would love to see my students using the same instruments in ways that are meaningful to their learning. I'd like to learn about new ways that my students can manage the technology in more cooperative settings with only guidance from me instead of direct or whole-group instruction. It would also be nice to have some time during the course of the semester to develop lesson plans and pacing schedules for the tools I already. In addition to learning how to help students become frequent users of the technology available I am also interested in discovering different technologies used in the classroom that I am unfamiliar with.
  

Ideas for my first abstract dealing with issues related to the integration of technology into K-8 mathematics

• Because I just received a set of responders, I would be interested most in learning more about the issues related to its integration in my mathematics teaching
• Tablets are another curiosity of mine and I would be interested in reading up on successful elementary classes that implement the use of tablets
• Podcasting is something I am completely capable of doing and have not yet worked into my instruction. While I am familiar with podcasting I'd be interested in hearing samples of podcasts of students particularly in primary