Breda Poličar, Gimnazija Poljane
In April, I attended a seminar within the framework of EU projects Erasmus+ KA1 called TAP-SWIPE-PINCH INTO STEM – Learning mathematics and science using tablets. In the capital of Estonia, Tallinn, math and science teachers from various European countries gathered. We spent a week testing out various apps for tablet computers and smartphones, with particular focus on the use of BYOD in math and science lessons. Several ideas came up, some of which I tested out in my own classroom after returning to Slovenia. Among many mathematics teachers, especially in high school, it is still believed that the introduction of new teaching methods would decrease students’ level of mathematics, which is already decreasing. However, I believe that adequate application of modern technology could help students understand abstract mathematical notions In my classroom, we tested out Kahoot’s online quiz. I set up a multiple choice question quiz involving a selection of logarithmic equations. The last school lessons are usually not very effective, because students start to lack energy. The application of new teaching methods was a welcomed surprise. Due to the competitive nature of the application, the students were more motivated and participated actively in order to solve the equations. In one lesson, we solved many equations, either by heart or using notebooks. These teaching methods were very appreciated by the students. Some students expressed their wish to set up their own mathematical Kahoot quizzes; we agreed on the content and the degree of difficulty. When students complete the quiz, the teacher is given the chance to look at the results of individual participants and to save the results. To set up the online quiz, students must first inevitably have good knowledge of the subject, in order for the quiz to benefit their peers. They also learn to use new tools and improve their digital skills. Last but not least, they can introduce the methods in other school subjects; possibly even encourage a teacher who does not use modern methods in the classroom, to do so. By the end of the school year, we had tested out several student-made mathematical Kahoos on the topic of second degree curves.
