Module 5: My digital literacy planning

Primary context: Maths

Resource: GeoGerbra GeoGebra - the world’s favorite, free math tools used by over 100 million students and teachers

GeoGerbra is a free online educational Maths resource, an interactive program that teaches geometry, algebra, statistics and calculus through visual animations and questions. This resource would be used after teacher instruction on new Maths concepts and students have begun practising through question sheets. This aligns with Kolbe’s instruction on the effective use of technology within the classroom being out of sight when instruction is happening and used purposefully as a consolidation and interactive element of the lesson (Kolbe, 2020).

This resource brings complex and abstract Maths equations into a visual reality, allowing students to see the visual change in images and numbers in the explore section of the program before attempting questions with instant feedback. Using the TPACK model has informed the type of technology needed to assist students to conceptualise Mathematical concepts (Blannin, 2022).

Reflecting on how to make Maths concepts understandable to students requires knowledge of the content and pedagogical approaches available and selecting the most suitable. An understanding of the common misconceptions and difficulties of the Maths concept, the need for repetition, variety of instruction, visual representation of the concept, and students working within their ZPD are needed for students to excel in their understanding and application (Howell, 2020). The Pedagogical approach best suited to teaching students is the Constructivist theory, where knowledge arises through the process of active construction with the stretching of students’ abilities through challenging but scaffolded work (Noddings, 2015). This led to the choice of incorporating GeoGerbra in the Technological Pedagogical and content knowledge.

This resource will be used in Level 7/year 5-6 class throughout the learning of Maths concepts. Students would sue this resource for both consolidation and assisted learning support.

Curriculum Area: G.C Numeracy, with sub-element of interpreting fractions: AC9M6N07

‘solve problems that require finding a familiar fraction, decimal or percentage of a quantity, including percentage discounts, choosing efficient calculation strategies and using digital tools where appropriate’ (ACARA, 2022)

This resource aligns with AITSL’s standard of professional teaching through:

-          2.2 Content Selection and Organise: ‘Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence’

-          2.6 ICT: ‘Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.’

-          3.4: Select and use resources: ‘Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.’(AITSL, 2022)