Session+3

=Resources= What resources are available to complement the Math SL program and what is the best way to share these resources with colleagues?

With the proliferation of the Internet and a variety of Web 2.0 tools, there are certainly no lack of resources available to support any program. The key is to find ones that work for you and your students. List a few of your favourites below:


 * 1) Geogebra
 * 2) Fathom (Trial Version)
 * 3) Moodle
 * 4) Geometer's Sketchpad
 * 5) www.purplemath.com (revision of skills)

Exploring relevant Web 2.0 tools to support the learning of the Math SL program
Having trouble jumping into Web 2.0? Watch these slides for a little inspiration! media type="custom" key="10353382" I find that for Mathematics, any tools that allow students to focus on communicating and reflecting are perhaps the most valuable. The one tool that encompasses all aspects of these skills is a blog. On a blog, students can record their learning, teachers can post prompts for students to respond to and students can use their blog as a showcase of their best pieces of work. Here are some examples of student blogs:


 * 1) Mr. Bethune
 * 2) Yoga
 * 3) Ryan
 * 4) Audrey
 * 5) Abyan

Other tools are probably best categorized by what the goals of the lesson are or by how you intend to assess. Here is a very good wiki that can help you decide which tools to use.

The other important aspect of learning for me is allowing students the opportunity to share their learning with each other through collaboration and presentation. So any tools which promote these skills are very important in my classroom. Not only is collaboration important for students but can also be valuable for teachers when planning units or lessons. The best tool for collaboration that I have found thus far is Google Docs. Even better if your school is a Google campus and subscribes to Google Apps. This whole collaborative process becomes much simpler.

Developing and maintaining a Personal Learning Network or PLN
I find the most efficient way to find resources for teaching and learning is to find ways to have them delivered directly to your inbox. Here are a few suggestions:


 * 1) Twitter - probably the single most powerful tool for teaching and learning. Your followers and the people you follow do all the work! Participate in weekly chats on topics of interest in education, general interest or anything really. Use Twitter in the classroom to enhance learning.
 * 2) Read blogs. Learn how to set up and RSS feed or a Google Reader and subscribe to blogs that interest you. Three that I read frequently include:
 * dy/dan - using real life situations to provoke interesting and challenging mathematical questions from students. Follow #anyqs on twitter or search his blog for WCYDWT (what can you do with this)
 * Free technology for teachers - a daily summary of applications that are useful in education.
 * Casting out Nines -- a mathematics and technology blog, the flipped classroom
 * 1) Google Plus - a new social network that could also have important applications for the classroom in support of learning.