techieMusings

This is part one of a two-part series that I had the opportunity to write for The Learning Counsel.

When I think back to high school math, I remember feeling scared. Despite my love for the subject (math was always my favorite) and the fact that I had a natural affinity for it, I often dreaded math class. The fast-paced lectures flew over my head, and it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to process my notes at home that the connections would start to snap into place. It was in those moments that math became fun – like the instant a puzzle you’re working on starts to take shape.

But in the classroom, I was constantly scared that I wouldn’t have the right answer. As a student, my mindset was that everything needed to be perfect; anything less was unacceptable. This pursuit of perfection made me feel in a constant state of unease. The fear of not meeting expectations and being put on the spot when called on in class prevented me from fully engaging in my learning and took a toll on my confidence.

“To top this all off, I was a perfectionist. I wanted to raise my hand and participate, but uncertainty, combined with the time-sen­sitive pressure to be the first to raise my hand and be called on, was oftentimes too much. And so, even though I was always eager to participate, it may not have always seemed this way to my teachers.” –Stacey Roshan, Tech with Heart

On top of this obsession to always have the right answer, I rarely felt like I had enough time to think before being called on or before a classmate would shoot up their hand to answer. So, even though I was good at math, I started feeling like I wasn’t measuring up and wasn’t as smart as those who consistently spoke up first.

Too often, we inadvertently give weight to the ideas of the most vocal and quick-to-respond individuals. When we don’t give everyone time to formulate their responses or share in a format that best fits their style, we miss out on the chance to showcase the diverse range of perspectives and problem-solving approaches present in the room. When we fail to hear from every voice, everyone misses out.

Because of my own struggles as a student, I have made it my mission as a teacher to find ways to shine the spotlight on the unique voices and personalities in my classroom. I strive to find ways to celebrate the diverse approaches that students choose rather than focusing on a singular correct answer. Technology has been instrumental in providing a safe space for all students to contribute and ensuring that all thoughts are acknowledged. With the right tools in hand and well-designed lessons, the last person to respond has the same opportunity for their reply to drive the conversation further as the first.

Using the right technology, I not only discovered a way to hear from students like me—the quieter ones, the processors, and those hesitant to answer first—but I also found a way to hear from every individual in the room. Here are some key strategies that have helped achieve this:

Leveraging Technology for Inclusive and Empowering Classrooms

As a math teacher, I often see students come in with a preconceived notion that, in math class, there is a “right” answer or a “wrong” answer to a problem. If their answer doesn’t match what they see in the back of their textbook or on the last page of the worksheet, they have failed. This type of thinking is what turns so many students off to math. There’s so much more to math than a correct versus incorrect answer.

How can we celebrate and showcase a diversity of thought and problem-solving approaches in the classroom? How can we reward the solution process in our class discussions and grading? I believe that we can incorporate easy-to-use web apps and educational technology tools to address these questions and cultivate deeper compassion in our classrooms.

What’s more, equipped with these tools, we can shift the focus from a “first is best” culture to one that values every student’s contribution. Let’s look at some strategies that help teachers see and hear students working in real-time and utilize technology to foster collaboration, build student confidence, and encourage inclusive participation, ultimately creating a classroom where all students can thrive.

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