Assessment... the SMART way

More and more technology is making its way into our math classrooms! Yay! I have had the opportunity to work extensively with teachers planning lessons and assessments using SMART technologies. Currently, teachers are eager to explore the SMART Response clicker system. I have to say that I love SMART Response and I have had experience with other classroom performance systems. Students become actively involved with the lesson - clickers allow opportunities not only for multiple choice or numeric answers, but can also provide feedback about the timing of the lesson (traffic light pages), the students' understanding during the lesson (thumbs up, thumbs down pages) and student opinions on any topic.
Data management students can collect their data with the use of the clickers!
Even better... since smarttech makes these clickers - naturally they work in harmony with the notebook software for the SMARTboard! What a great pair!
Thanks to all our willing and eager teachers! Thanks to SMART Technologies!

co-planning and co-teaching

I have had a very exciting week co-planning with numerous teachers in our district. I am continually impressed with the variety of directions that these planning sessions take. Teachers really seem to appreciate the time to get together and come up with a lesson that utilizes some "new" or different strategies. I am particularly excited that I have the opportunity to work with them so that they may feel more comfortable taking on a new approach.

Stations, learning centres, SMARTboards, laptops, software, internet, web2.0, concrete manipulatives, etc, etc.
Together we are investigating lots of engaging opportunities for our students with the hope that student learning and student engagement will improve.

I have to say that at first I was apprehensive about the position of "math facilitator". Now that I have had a few months in the role - I am excited about where our math teachers are willing to go if given the time and resources!

More later.... :)