Earning a C++ in Math

     Learning all the unique ways we can use technology in the classroom has been a very eye-opening experience.  Through most of the days though, I struggled to see where I could really take advantage of it as a math teacher.  Most often in math, I have only seen technology used at the substitution or adaptation level, with things like answering problems online, or using iPad notes in lecture.  In one of the technology integration videos I watched though, one teacher introduced game creation into their classroom, using an online programming template called Scratch.  In this class, students created their own little games, where a character would ask math questions, and the player would have to solve them.  Essentially, the students were creating their own homework assignments, and getting to play with other classmates games.

     This is an idea I can certainly get on board with in my math class.  Computer science is quickly becoming one of the most popular careers, and yet we don't introduce it until high school as an elective.  I think Junior high students are more than capable of learning basic programming, and integrating math projects through this shows redefinition–solving problems impossible without the computer programs.

     One example of this I would like to incorporate, is having students write computer "calculator" programs, that input numbers and output a solution based on what is being asked.  Maybe instead of having student simply memorize the quadratic equation, have them write a computer program that solves it given three coefficients.  They can write program that solves for the third side length of a triangle using the pythagorean theorem.  Or, what if you have students create a program that multiplies two numbers, but they can only use addition in their code?  Not only does this require students to know the formulas when they create the program, but they will have to find and solve any problems that they have within their code, requiring more detail and attention to the mathematical concepts, and better preparing students for our digital world.


Picture from http://www.hindscc.edu/Assets/images/computer-programming-tech.jpg