Emerging Technology that Supports Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (Blog Post 6)

In mathematics, problem solving is at the core to achieving success with the application of mathematical concepts. The technology-supported problem solving guidelines identified in Egbert (2009), Chapter 4 were helpful and very useful for employing valuable problem solving lessons in a math class. The guidelines discussed by Egbert were to integrate reading and writing, avoid plagiarism, do not do what students can do, and make mistakes acceptable. There would be no use for math if there weren’t real world situations that called for the skill. These real world situations are presented to our students through reading and writing. Students need to be able to comprehend what they read in order to solve the problems within. Math students should be made aware of the importance of reading and writing through the incorporation of these skills in a math class. Avoiding plagiarism is a no brainer. Students will not learn math problem solving skills unless they are practiced. All too often our students feel that just copying someone else’s work will suffice to earn a grade but nothing is learned. Having the right answer and finding the right answer are two different things. As a man I all too often I feel the need to fix what my students are doing wrong instead of forcing them to do the things they already know how to do. I have to keep a constant self check on myself when student ask me for help. This third guideline really hit home for me. The last guideline is often repeated in my class because I feel that our students need to accept their mistakes and learn from them. This is the heart of problem solving for me. When our students feel safe in making mistakes then the problem solving process can move forward.

Fortunately for our students I feel that when it comes to technology they are less reluctant to follow these guidelines. I know that when my son gets a new video game he will read some of the instruction in order to get a basic understanding of how it works. I also notice that students are more willing to produce and show off their individuality when it comes to technology. My students rarely want help with their technology projects unless they truly cannot figure something out. Finally when involved with technology I find that students are more willing to make mistakes and learn from them. For these reasons I find that emerging technology helps our students with the problem solving processes.