Thing #7--blog about technology

Our assignment for Thing #7 is to blog about any technology.



I will comment about my use of a Smart Board at the school where I teach 8th grade algebra. One of things I like to do is to introduce the students to some famous mathematicians--I never remember learning anything about the actual people involved with mathematics when I was in middle/high school.



So far, I have created two (what I like to think of as) neat pages that have pictures of the mathematicians from the web. I have added facts to the pictures in the form of "statements" from the subjects in speech bubbles. ("Hi, I'm...." "In the year 830 I wrote a book called.....") They are colorful and informative, I hope. In fact, I did have one other teacher comment that the one on Al-Khwarismi (the "father" of algebra) was interesting!



I display my creations on the Smart Board--these also can be called interactive white boards. I am only just beginning to use all their potential. I have created games for the students, and we will be using the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for class this coming week.



It's really made a difference in the class, I think!



That's about it for now.



So long.

P.S. I have skipped Thing #6 for now. The things I have tried haven't worked out (one link was not working). I think I need to put a digital photo of my own on my work computer so I can work with the mashups.

Lego Beatle image from Flickr!

This combines my favorite Beatles, with my son's and husband's favorite Legos! Please note that since all Lego people do not wear shoes, all the Beatles are shoeless, not just Paul. :)