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=__Project Title__: Integrating Technology with the Math Curriculum= =__Student Researcher__: Sheila Blocher= =__Overview__:= ==== Teachers are always searching for ways to improve instruction and student achievement. At the school where I teach, math continues to be an area of weakness according to overall performance on the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). For that reason, we always set a goal to improve student performance in math as part of our yearly school improvement plan. We try to identify strategies which may help address the weakness. I believe the use of technology by teachers and students to support the math curriculum would be one effective strategy for improving student achievement in mathematics. ==== ==== The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) states that “technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics” (2000). When used appropriately, technology can be powerful. It can make math more engaging for students and can foster higher-order thinking skills. The use of technology allows students to see some real-world applications of math. It can enable students to focus on the “big picture” instead of getting bogged down by all of the calculations. Technology is also beneficial to teachers of mathematics. It can serve as a valuable tool for collecting and managing data. Analysis of this data can help teachers provide better, differentiated instruction to students. Technology can be used to provide acceleration and/or remediation activities for students. It can also be used to provide immediate feedback on student progress. ==== ==== Because the use of technology offers so many possible strategies for improving student performance in math, I want to learn more about the technologies available and how they can be used to enhance math instruction for better learning outcomes. One item of interest is interactive whiteboards. Our school system is in the process of equipping classrooms with these remarkable tools. I’d like to learn more about how they can be used in the math classroom. Another technology tool currently available in my building is //Successmaker Math// software. It has the potential to provide valuable data for teachers to utilize when planning for instruction. I would like to learn more about how it can be used to improve math instruction. I am sure to learn through my research that these two technologies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to enhancing the math curriculum. I look forward to learning even more! ====