The use of technology didn’t occur much in my lesson because I had an activity and a time constraint. Also, the website I wanted to use (nlvm.usu.edu) did not work because java is not supported on the computer connected to the smartboard. If I had had time to try out my website ahead of time I would have known and downloaded java to be used.

The website I wanted to use would have enhanced the learning of my students because it gives visuals and practice for number lines. In the subject of number sets there are a lot of resources for visual aids; however the concept of less than nothing is very hard for students to grasp and understand. I believe, in this instance, the teacher has to be able to explain in an easier way how to understand what is happening. I and a fellow classmate both used analogies that work for adding or subtracting two integers.

For this specific content my strategies are: give an analogy, involve my students, ask them questions and try to help them make sense of it, and practice. For this content an analogy is appropriate because it is abstract and for most students, they have trouble understanding that you can have less than nothing, the analogy shows an easier way of thinking about it. Drawing out the number line on the floor engages a classroom and makes them want to participate which makes the students interested in what is to be taught.

Students from different ethnic backgrounds and different social status might have previous knowledge of this and know how to solve the problem, but they will most likely not understand why we do what we do. Even if my lesson is a review for some students, they will better understand the why and how when I am finished teaching and they can help others in group work which will further their understanding even more.

The website I was planning to use would have given visual and practice for my students. Using this technology will help them to know if they do understand the concept, and if not I will be present for them to ask questions. I can even explain different analogies or teach them differently, whichever suits my students best.

I believe in this situation the best way to implement the smartboard would be to write class notes on it, draw examples, etc. and post them to my class website for the students to access anywhere if they need a reminder of what we did or were absent.

Without the use of technology my students could not have access to the notes unless they took some themselves, which middle school students never do. Without the use of tech in my classroom the students would have no opportunity to be able to remember what we did in detail.