Another way to Poll Everywhere

You can also take my poll about math classes here if you'd like.

Poll Everywhere!

The Future of Work

While in high school, I took a computer class 3 out of the 4 years.  Before realizing my dream to become a math teacher, I wanted to work with computers.  I had not decided if that would be as a Web Page Designer or a Computer Programmer, so I tried it out.  By my senior year I had decided neither were right for me.  With that being said, though, I worked with new software and learned how to create things using technology every single day.  I was creating my own pages on the Web, and I was making my own videos.  It was amazing!  I have a much better understanding of technology and especially computers after taking all of those classes.  It has helped me a great deal in college with having to work with computers as much as we do.  I couldn't be more thankful that I did that in high school and I feel that it should be required for everyone to at least take the computer class that teaches Microsoft Office.

This is  Public Service Announcement that I was required to create for my assessment.

P.S. I apologize for the overwhelming sadness of this video.

Double Entry Journal #1

 Quote:

"... fully 65 percent of today’s grade-school kids may end up doing work that hasn’t been invented yet." -Virginia Heffernan

Response:

This is mind-boggling.  When reading this, all I can think about is "how?"  How are we supposed to prepare them for things that we don't even know about yet?  In all honesty, I'm scared of this.  This is happening in our lifetime, in our teaching careers.  I do agree that the education system is out-dated with how they are preparing students.  However, I am nervous that traditional skills will be thrown out of the window and replaced with new unestablished skills.  Maybe it is my lack of excitement for change that makes me feel this way, or my fear of the unknown.  Living in a time where everything is changing, there is no choice but to adapt.  

This video shows the change of classrooms over time and that we have done it once before and we can do it again.

Sources:

Education "The times are a changing". 2009.

Heffernan, Virginia. "Education Needs aDigitial-Age Upgrade." The New York Times: Opinionator (2011).

Hi, I'm acute triangle :)

Hello!  My name is Cortney Wilt.  I am from Jefferson County, West Virginia.  My plan is to take on the ever-so-challenging occupation of being a high school math teacher.  My love is for Trigonometry, however, there is talk about how math classes are no longer going to be in the fashion of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, etc.  It is soon going to be Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, etc.  This meaning that there will be a mixture in each course.  That will be a change of pace! 

Why do I want to put myself through all of these crazy math courses and teach the subject that majority of every high school student hates? Glad you asked!  I have always been the kid in math class that loved the challenge.  More importantly, I want to help others overcome the fear of having the alphabet mixed with numerals.  The feeling of accomplishment when you finally figure out the problem or WHY it is this and not that, is priceless.  I want to help others feel that wonderful feeling. 

Math is a difficult subject to grasp because it is something you build on.  You have to learn this before you can learn that or else it is going to make absolutely no sense.  When students are bored, though, it often leads to them barely understanding what is going on on the board and then they are lost.  This can't happen!  Teachers have to make it interesting!  Have them watch math parody videos of popular songs...better yet, have them make one of their own. 

New technology is a great tool that can be utilized to enhance students' education.  I do not believe that everything should be revolved around technology, though.  There is nothing wrong with taking down notes from the board or doing homework from a book.  It may be basic and old fashion, but it is a good foundation.  Adding new and exciting things in to the routine will definitely not hurt, though!