The students that we teach are known as “Digital Natives” by Prensky (2001). We on the other hand, are referred to as the “Immigrants.” They were born in the 21st century.  We were born in the 20th century.  We teach the way we learned.  So, many of us are still using 20th century ways to teach in the 21st century.  I am not suggesting that we throw out all of those ways.  But, WE MUST add to them.  We must expand our own repertoires of teaching.  We must learn some new ways.  We must step into the 21st century.

I had the honor of working with Heidi Hayes Jacobs for years at Columbia during the summers. She would always tell teachers to upgrade just 1 thing in their classrooms-  Just 1.  I think that works.  That way, we don’t become overwhelmed and and simultaneously we don’t underwhelm our students with our teaching.  Learn just 1 new thing that reflects that we live, learn and teach in the 21st century.

Here are 5 great sites to get you started!

#1: Have the students watch or make a glog: (check out the glogopedia to get ideas)

#2: Have the students watch or make an animoto as a hook into a lesson.

#3: Play games on Math Playground, Cyberchase, BBC, Johnnie’s Homepage,Harvey’s Homepage, Math Play

#4: Use virtual manipulatives (NLVM, Glencoe, Math Playground)

#5: Show education video clips to teach a concept (teacher tube, school tube, learn zillion, Math Playground) 

Happy Mathing,

Dr. Nicki