Tag Archives: Hewlett Packard

Why bother with technology in maths classrooms?

Maths Technology, School Issues, , , , ,

Working with a group of aspiring entrants to the teaching profession is always an interesting opportunity. They still have the open mindedness about this noble profession that allows for certainties to be challenged and opportunities explored. The reality is that  dialogic teaching supported  by dynamic technology (meaning both parties: student and teacher, have control over how the narrative plays out) is a very rare event in schools. The mass of technology is either already booked out so kids can be trained to use MS office 2003 or is pre-programmed for zombie teachers to press the next button on their MyMaths lesson. Continue reading Why bother with technology in maths classrooms? →

Impressive Maths Thinkers

Maths Technology, , , , ,

It is easy to be a bit jaundiced about A level maths, when you see the drill and practice text books with the exam board’s logo on the front and student’s in permanent practice, practice mode because of the modular exams. Well, I had an excellent day in a non-selective, state sixth form college, working with two groups of charming A level maths and further maths students. Continue reading Impressive Maths Thinkers →

HP Graphing Calculators at A-Level

Maths Technology, , , , ,

I am working with a group of A level students who have received an HP39GS graphing calculator. They got the calculators a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully they will at least have opened the package and turned the thing on. I will have about 3 or 4 hours with each of two groups tomorrow to give them ideas of things they can do with the machine. Clearly we live in a gadgety time. A lot of people will get a new phone every year or so, which is basically a computer, running a range of software packages, notably communication systems, but also, pretty much anything you care to mention. Continue reading HP Graphing Calculators at A-Level →