Journal Assignment #2

Succeeding at Math

by Scott Huffmyer

Math is a subject that can be challenging to get students excited about learning, especially with a classroom full of students labelled "unreachable." Mr. Huffmeyer taught a multi-age classroom of students who were sent to him by the courts for multiple reasons. By the time the students have reached his classroom they have already built up a wall of defiance that provides an obstacle for him to overcome to be able to be an effective math teacher. Not only is he dealing with a challenging group of students, but he is also being forced to design an independent learning path for each student. Mr. Huffmeyer sought out a technology that would help him to accomplish what he needed to accomplish with these students and found Apangea Learning's SmartHelp. This system allowed him to construct an independent learning path for each student.

In the computer lab Mr. Huffmeyer was working with his students in there was already a system called NetOP which allows the instructor to see what the student is doing on their computer at any time and goes further in allowing the instructor to take over that computer if any inappropriate activities are taking place. Mr. Huffmeyer appreciated the benefits of both systems, and further wanted to integrate them. With the help of his school's IT department he was able to integrate the two systems, further allowing him to monitor the progress of the students and be of better assistance.

SmartHelp is a great system that includes math content that's based on the state academic standards, while allowing the instructor to making changes as they deem necessary for any particular student. The system is so great that it informs the instructor on what the student's strengths and weaknesses are. The system also provides instruction to the student themselves if they desire to use that tool. I find this system to be very inventive and inviting. A lot of times allowing students to get on a computer makes them more interested in what they're doing and this system seems like a great tool to get the students excited about math, while also providing them with a certain level of independence that leads to a greater feeling of confidence in the subject matter.

Q1: If teaching at a school that does not have this resource available, how can the students benefit from the system?

A1: Traditional teaching is still effective for most students, but if there are students in the classroom that are struggling with certain areas in the math class it might be good to invite them into the classroom during lunch or after school to use the system. While the technology is not available to all students at the same, it could still be used by students individually as needed.

Q2: Is this technology only available to math teachers?

A2: To my knowledge I cannot say for sure, but it would seem like this technology should be available in other subject areas also.