Teaching & Learning in a Pandemic: Spring 2021

Teaching Middle/High School Mathematics

Jada Hastings

BUT FIRST....A VIDEO!!!!

Learning Targets

At the end of this lesson, readers will be able to identify how schools and teachers have had to change how they teach in order for it to be beneficial for students online

At the end of this lesson, readers will be able to elaborate on three different ways Mrs. Baez, a Geometry teacher with Norfolk Public Schools, has had to adapt her class to be productive for students online

Mrs. Baez changed her teaching style to become more of a lecturer
Mrs. Baez discovered new online platforms to help make sure her students were learning the content thoroughly
Mrs. Baez sees the positive that her students are becoming technology savvy, despite not having much face-to-face time

Teaching Mathematics Online

When you think of teaching mathematics, do you think about it being effectively taught online? Not many people do. Luckily, this pandemic has given teachers and schools the opportunity to experiment with different ways to teach mathematics online that is easy for the students to understand the content and for the teachers to use. Khrirwadkar states that "the online platform prompted education stakeholders to reimagine possibilities for teaching and learning mathematics as well as structuring a learning environment" (p.45). This statement showcases that even though COVID-19 is not the ideal situation to figure this out, we as mathematics educators can finally take these steps to evolve.

In order for teaching mathematics online to be productive for middle and high school students, teachers may have to change how they think to formulate a lesson. One way for mathematics teachers to plan a lesson in order for students to meet the desired learning targets is by thinking about what the teacher wants at the end of the lesson in the beginning of planning,; this is called the Backward Design Process. Van Nuland et al. go in depth in this process by discussing the three major steps for this process. Van Nuland et al. state that "the backward design process involves three stages: 1. Identify desired results 2. Determine how you will assess the desired results have been achieved 3. Design activities that ensure leaners achieve these results" (p.634). This Backward Design Process would allow teachers to find online programs that would interest the students, while making sure they understand the content being presented to them. This Backward Design Process is a way to formulate a lesson that would be effective to incorporate into face-to-face instruction since it allows the teacher to focus around the targets the students need to reach in order to grasp the mathematic concepts.

Example of Teaching Mathematics Online

An example of how teachers have incorporated online platforms to help teach mathematics online is portrayed by Heidi Kirkland. She explains how her math class utilizes many different online platforms to make learning mathematics easy for the students since their teacher cannot be with them. Heidi Kirkland states "To deliver these lessons to pupils, we use the desktop software Loom. This allows teachers to record what is happening on their computer screens whilst speaking" (para. 3). Having a way for students, as well as parents, to rewatch the teacher explain content and review for assignments is very helpful for students to understand mathematics. Heidi Kirkland also talks about using Microsoft Teams in order to "ask teachers questions about their mathematics lesson; discuss mathematics with their peers and offer support for others" (para. 5). This not only allows the student to communicate with their teacher, but also form those connections with classmates without being in a classroom. Sometimes a student learns better from a peer since how a teacher explains one way a peer may explain another that makes more sense to students. These two examples incorporated within a classroom showcase how mathematics can be done effectively online while still trying to keep a "normal classroom" environment of communication, listening to the teacher, and giving time to ask questions.

Who I Interviewed

Mrs. Christine Baez

Mrs. Baez is a Honors Geometry teacher at Norview High School . Mrs. Baez was very scared when we were first told we were going to online learning (C. Baez, personal communication, February 12, 2021). Even though Mrs. Baez was initially scared, she has since evolved as an educator in order to benefit her students and make sure the students understood the concepts. I chose Mrs. Baez as the person I wanted to interview because she has been involved with teaching students online in a high school since the beginning of the pandemic. Interviewing her would allow an insight into teaching a mathematics course online and the pros and cons associated with it.

Interview Takeaway Number 1: Mrs. Baez Becoming a Lecturer Style Teacher

Interview Takeaway #1

One statement made when this question was asked that stood out was "I became the teacher I had, not the teacher I want to be" (C. Baez, personal communications, February 12, 2021). Mrs. Baez showcases that we have to evolve as educators in order to benefit our students. I think this quote is perfect for the situation because this pandemic has effective how everyone goes about their day-to-day routines. We as educators have to be willing to break routine in order to benefit our students, whether it is something we want to incorporate into our lessons or not.

Interview Takeaway Number 2: Mrs. Baez Utilizing New Online Platforms to Help Students Thoroughly Learn Without Being Face-to-Face

Before this interview, I had never heard of Edpuzzle. Based on Mrs. Baez's description, it is a site where you can make your own videos of material, or you can use other people's videos, and the video will stop throughout the content to ask the student a question to make sure they are paying attention (C. Baez, personal communications, February 12, 2021). Edpuzzle reminded me a lot of Kahoot combined with things I have seen utilized in college classes through tutoring. I really enjoyed hearing about Edpuzzle since it is a platform that will not only introduce the content to the student in an innovative way, but makes sure they pay attention to the video. With everything online, especially for students in middle and high school, it is challenging to keep a student engaged for long durations of time. Edpuzzle is a fun way to keep them engaged and make sure they are paying attenion!

Interview Takeaway #2

Interview Takeaway Number 3: Mrs. Baez Stating the Positive of the Pandemic is Students Becoming Techonolgy Savvy

Interview Takeaway #3

Even though Mrs. Baez talked about the negatives regarding the pandemic, she made it known that having the students become technologically savvy will be beneficial in the long run. Mrs. Baez also discussed how people are being forced to change in order to use technology and may not have before due to them being scared of change (C. Baez, personal communication, February 12, 2021). Change is a scary thing especially when people think "if it is not broke, do not fix it", but sometimes change is needed to evolve the classroom and you as an educator. I know that if there was something new I needed to incorporate to benefit the understanding of content to my students, I would do it in a heartbeat. Incorporating technology into a mathematics class will hep students to become handy with 21st century materials as well as make the connection of how mathematics is incorporated within the real world.

IN CONCLUSION

Teaching mathematics online is definitely not the ideal way to teach mathematics, but it is something that will benefit both the students and teachers. Finding online platforms would allow for the teachers to broaden their horizons on how to teach mathematics to their students. I want to become a teacher that tries to incorporate as many different ways to teach the same topic as possible. Students learn a bunch of different ways and having a variety of ways to teach mathematics would greatly benefit the understanding of the topics of mathematics. I learned a lot from the interview with Mrs. Baez like using Edpuzzle to teach. This will definitely be something I will have to incorporate in my own classroom. Overall, I think teaching mathematics to middle and high school students is more than just a phase, but a revolution!

QUESTIONS

What are the three steps to the Backward Design Process

A. 1. Identify desired results 2. Talk to fellow teachers about ideas on how to achieve these goals 3. Hope for the best

B. 1. Identify desired results 2. Determine how you will assess the desired results have been achieved 3. Design activities that ensure learners achieve these results

C. 1. Identify desired results 2. Determine how you will assess the results were achieved 3. Ask fellow teachers if you have created a good plan

D. 1. Introduce the topic to the student 2. Evaluate the students on the topic discussed 3. Reflect on what could have gone better or worse based on student evaluations

What is the name of the online program Mrs. Baez said she would incorporate into her classes once the pandemic is over?

A. Edpuzzle

B. Kahoot

C. Padlet

D. Prezi

Answer Key!

References

Khirwadkar, A. K. (2019, November 30). Reimagining mathematics education during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1267302.

Kirkland, H. (2020). Coping with covid. Mathematics Teaching, (272), 12. Retrieved from http://proxy.lib.odu.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy.lib.odu.edu/trade-journals/coping-with-covid/docview/2423815190/se-2?accountid=12967

Van Nuland, Sonya E, Hall, Elissa, & Langley, Natalie R. (2020). STEM crisis teaching: Curriculum design with e‐learning tools. FASEB BioAdvances, 2(11), 631-637.

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