Does anyone know of where I can get information on how to use Powerpoint to drive instruction in a math class?

Question

My district has offered us a wonderful set of technology tools to use in the classroom but, nobody knows what the most effective way to use it. I was trying to get some training on this area.

Answer 1

Until students are at the level where they are taking math classes because they want to, not because they need to (read: college), incorporating PowerPoint slide shows, especially inexpertly, will almost certainly lose the children's interest. Most children find math boring, and most people find slide shows boring, too. Being engaged in the material and displaying a passion for it will captivate your students more than PowerPoint.

As an instructional aid, you will need a math program capable of animating/plotting curves in order to help students visualize otherwise abstract concepts.

To sum up: 1) Don't use technology just because it's there. 2) PowerPoint isn't as exciting as it was 15 years ago. 3) Computers just introduce another barrier between students and teachers.

Answer 2

Look through these sites:

http://www.pppst.com/math.html

http://www.modelschools.org/mspmathsci/m...

http://www.mathslideshow.com/