On Monday, July 17, Westminster again hosted 100 math and science teachers teachers for summer institutes to learn to use the TI-Nspire to integrate technology into classroom learning episodes.  This summer, the following sessions were offered:

• Getting Started with the TI-Nspire in Algebra (and Getting Started with TI-Nspire in Middle Grades Math)
• Getting Started with the TI-Nspire in High School Math
• Getting Started with the TI-Nspire in Connecting Science and Mathematics
• Implementing the Common Core Mathematical Practices with TI-Nspire Technology
• TI-Nspire for Intermediate Users: High School Math

I facilitated the Getting Started with the TI-Nspire in Algebra.  This session included several teacher-learners who wanted to take Getting Started with the Middle Grades Math (but the course did not make).  I had the opportunity to practice my skills in differentiating to accommodate all sixteen learners.

We started with a quick write using the following prompts: Why are you here, and what do you want to learn?  Overwhelmingly, these sixteen teachers wrote and spoke about relationships and improving their ability to engage their students in the learning process.  “I want to feel more confident about using this technology to teach my students.” They discussed feeling overwhelmed by the technology and implementing lessons with students.

How often do students feel exactly the same way?  Aren’t students looking for a teacher who knows their strengths and struggles?  How often do students feel overwhelmed by the content and implementing new skills and idea?

The curriculum – a binder of materials and activities – had approximately 10 activities per day. So the question…Go deep into some of the lessons or cover all 10 activities each day.  I chose to be selective about the number of activities and spend time asking questions to deepening knowledge, skills, and understanding.

As the teacher, I feel guilty about what I did not cover from the materials.  What if they need something that I did not teach them?

Isn’t this the same decision classroom teachers have to make every year, every week, every day?  Should we cover all of the learning targets or identify what is essential and teach for mastery? Are we seeking to expose our students to many topics, or are we striving to help them learn and retain core material?

The time we have with learners is limited.  We have to make some very important decisions about how to use this time.