Technology in Maths Education

I searched for 'use of technology in teaching math to preschool' in Google and was drawn to the result titled, Early Childhood Mathematics: Promoting Good Beginnings. In the write-up, technology is one of NTCM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) principles for school mathematics. It cited that technology is essential to teach- ing and learning Mathematics. It influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances student's learning. 
Click on the link if you are interested to read further http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/psmath.pdf

There are so many free applications that you can download for smartphones and tablets. Often, I watched how children were engaged in playing with these applications that they were oblivious to their surroundings in public places. I am guilty of it myself but I made sure to download educational applications for my child to play with. For example, from this application called 'kids Shapes', my child is able to connect shapes with his environment like how he pointed out that the clock is circle and the towel is a rectangle. He is able to identify the number 7 first as that's the number he always pressed on the remote control to watch his favorite channel, OKTO!  So as you can see, technology is not that harmful if used selectively and incidentally. Likewise for teachers, computer technology is a good example where Teachers can use to enhance learning when teaching Mathematics. Teachers can select reliable softwares and determined how best to incorporate computer use in the day-to- day curriculum for children’s learning experiences to be rich and productive. However, this action requires thoughtful and informed decision-making on Teacher's part. 


As I've been working mainly with younger children (18months- 4 years old), there are limitations on how I can integrate technology in the curriculum. However, I used the computer to show them counting songs and rhymes on youtube. For example, after introducing the song 'Five little speckled frogs', children were able to dramatized the song themselves without much Teacher's intervention. They listened to the music and pretended to 'jump' into the pool. On another lesson, i use OHP to teach them shapes. They flashed blocks of the four basic shapes and see the enlarged image on the wall. I can still remember how children enjoyed the activity and they kept visiting the corner again even after the lesson ended. 

The child pointing out to the circle on the aw

Integrating technology in my Math lesson

Let me end my blog with these inspirational quotes:

"There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new age technology, but if the teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails."

- Nancy


"It is important to remember that educational software, like textbooks, is only one tool in the learning process. Neither can be a substitute for well trained teachers, leadership and parental involvement."
- Keith Kruger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)