comments on Chapter one video

Good afternoon Kara,

Wow, That was a short video. Maybe mine is not working right? However, from what I did observe, the children were definitely familiar with the graphing calculators. The familiarity can be applied to the technology standard of "basic operations and concepts". I could also see that the children were being responsible while using the calculators which falls within the social standard. Finally, the standard of problem solving was surely represented in the video. The lesson was all about area in geometry and by using the calculators the students were able to make the connection that length x width will always equal width x length. The most important observation I made was how well the children were listening to the teacher. I believe kids are anxious to use technology and by getting to use the media in class, all the better.
One area of the lesson that I would have done differently, is I would have allowed the students to figure out much more on their own. It seemed that the teacher answered most of the questions that she asked before allowing for individual thinking by the students. If chemistry has taught me anything it is that you have to be able to critically think on your own. The reward of getting to the answer on your own is worth the time it takes.
Okay, I have written my very first blog. Now if I post it correctly, you are reading this. Have a great weekend, Laura Lee.