1.Tools in Teaching Basic MathTools in Teaching Basic MathLucky GalvezInstitute of MathematicsUniversity of the PhilippinesDilimanMay 15, 2009

2. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction Mathematics, to most, is a complex subject. The tendency for most students is to consider the subject as one that is boring, thus, creating lack of interest in the topics being discussed. This poses a great challenge for teachers and educators, especially in the primary and intermediate levels, wherein a good study habit and a rm grasp of basic concepts should be developed. 3. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction Mathematics, to most, is a complex subject. The tendency for most students is to consider the subject as one that is boring, thus, creating lack of interest in the topics being discussed. This poses a great challenge for teachers and educators, especially in the primary and intermediate levels, wherein a good study habit and a rm grasp of basic concepts should be developed.The coming of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) also poses a great hindrance in the development of students study habits. Studies reveal that though most students nowadays are more computer literate, particularly the internet, their interest are in gaming, entertainment and social networking, rather than in academic purposes. As a result, students attention span, specially in the classroom, signicantly decreased and study hours are lessened. 4. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines Filipino students perform poorly in Math and SciencesIn the 2003 National Achievement Test, the average grade is 44%for elementary and 36% for secondary level. Students scoredpoorly in Science and Math 5. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines Filipino students perform poorly in Math and SciencesIn the 2003 National Achievement Test, the average grade is 44%for elementary and 36% for secondary level. Students scoredpoorly in Science and MathIn TIMMS 2003, the Philippines ranked 41st out of 45 countriesin Mathematics. 6. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines Filipino students perform poorly in Math and SciencesIn the 2003 National Achievement Test, the average grade is 44%for elementary and 36% for secondary level. Students scoredpoorly in Science and MathIn TIMMS 2003, the Philippines ranked 41st out of 45 countriesin Mathematics.There is a shortage of almost 50, 000 teachers, and the result:teachers teaching multiple subjects 7. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines The biggest problem is the deciency of adequate resources, specially in public schools. 65% of public schools still does not have electricity. 8. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines The biggest problem is the deciency of adequate resources, specially in public schools. 65% of public schools still does not have electricity. Public schools have limited access to phone lines and internet 9. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines The biggest problem is the deciency of adequate resources, specially in public schools. 65% of public schools still does not have electricity. Public schools have limited access to phone lines and internet Less than half of public secondary school teahers and students had been able to use computers as educational tool 10. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction ICT and Education in the Philippines The biggest problem is the deciency of adequate resources, specially in public schools. 65% of public schools still does not have electricity. Public schools have limited access to phone lines and internet Less than half of public secondary school teahers and students had been able to use computers as educational tool Lack of teacher training in the use of ICT as an alternative teaching tool. 11. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction The Role of the Teacher Amidst these problems, as mathematics teachers, we want to address this issue. We ask the question: 12. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction The Role of the Teacher Amidst these problems, as mathematics teachers, we want to address this issue. We ask the question:How do we use Information and Communication Technology to bring students interest in Mathematics? 13. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction The Role of the Teacher Amidst these problems, as mathematics teachers, we want to address this issue. We ask the question:How do we use Information and Communication Technology to bring students interest in Mathematics? We formulate new methods of teaching mathematics using ICT. With the limited resources we have, the challenge is on the creation of teaching methods using the readily available resources. 14. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction The Role of the Teacher The trends nowadays is interactive and more visual class discussion. This arouses students interest and gives them the idea that mathematical concepts is indeed a fun learning activity. 15. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction The Role of the Teacher The trends nowadays is interactive and more visual class discussion. This arouses students interest and gives them the idea that mathematical concepts is indeed a fun learning activity.For instance,before discussing formulas, it is better to let the students discovercertain patterns by some examples with the use of computingdevices.formulation of proofs is better when students are able tointeract with the gures. 16. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Introduction The Role of the Teacher The trends nowadays is interactive and more visual class discussion. This arouses students interest and gives them the idea that mathematical concepts is indeed a fun learning activity.For instance,before discussing formulas, it is better to let the students discovercertain patterns by some examples with the use of computingdevices.formulation of proofs is better when students are able tointeract with the gures.relationship between variables can be better understood whenstudents are able to see the eects of changing one variable 17. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Graphing Calculators The basic computation device that we are all familiar of have evolved to serve better purposes than just mere computing. 18. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Microsoft Excelmore than just spreadsheet 19. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Microsoft Excelmore than just spreadsheetcan be used to develop pattern recognition 20. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Microsoft Excelmore than just spreadsheetcan be used to develop pattern recognitioncan be used to discuss relationships between quantities, whatchanges and what are constant 21. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Microsoft Excelmore than just spreadsheetcan be used to develop pattern recognitioncan be used to discuss relationships between quantities, whatchanges and what are constantcan be used to generate histograms, graphs and in theinterpretation of statistical data 22. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Microsoft Excelmore than just spreadsheetcan be used to develop pattern recognitioncan be used to discuss relationships between quantities, whatchanges and what are constantcan be used to generate histograms, graphs and in theinterpretation of statistical datacan be used in modelling solving simple word problems 23. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Other Softwaresexamples are Microsoft Math, Derive algebra Software, CabriGeometry Software 24. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares Other Softwaresexamples are Microsoft Math, Derive algebra Software, CabriGeometry Software explains the geometric aspects of algebra, calculus, etc 25. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares shows explanation, as well as visual interpretation of theorems, axioms and postulates 26. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares shows explanation, as well as visual interpretation of theorems, axioms and postulates some softwares show detailed steps in solving 27. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Softwares shows explanation, as well as visual interpretation of theorems, axioms and postulates some softwares show detailed steps in solving easily generates graphs and provides interactive lessonsFigure 1: An example of using Cabri 28. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Instructional Videos Instructional Videos readily available in the market 29. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Instructional Videos Instructional Videos readily available in the market provides an alternative to classroom learning 30. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Instructional Videos Instructional Videos readily available in the market provides an alternative to classroom learning interactive and creative in presenting subject matters 31. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Utilizing the Internet Utilizing the Internet It is our task as teachers to introduce our students to the academic aspects of using the internet. There are a lot of internet sites providing interactive learning tools for students. 32. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Utilizing the Internet Utilizing the Internet It is our task as teachers to introduce our students to the academic aspects of using the internet. There are a lot of internet sites providing interactive learning tools for students. Instructional videos with topics in Mathematics are also available even in YouTube. 33. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Tools in Teaching Mathematics Utilizing the Internet Utilizing the Internet It is our task as teachers to introduce our students to the academic aspects of using the internet. There are a lot of internet sites providing interactive learning tools for students. Instructional videos with topics in Mathematics are also available even in YouTube. Some provides free software. 34. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Limitations ICT oers help in providing promising alternative tools and methods of instructions for mathematics teachers. However, these tools are limited only to a certain level of diculty of problems. Also, the availability of the resources needed to utilize these tools eciently poses a greater problem. 35. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Conclusion Although tools are readily available for educators, the inadequacy of the facilities is the rst problem that needs to be solved. 36. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Conclusion Although tools are readily available for educators, the inadequacy of the facilities is the rst problem that needs to be solved.Although these tools will be a graet help, it is still the teachers encouragement and creativity to come up with exciting ways to present subject matters using these tools which is the greater factor. 37. Tools in Teaching Basic Math Conclusion Although tools are readily available for educators, the inadequacy of the facilities is the rst problem that needs to be solved.Although these tools will be a graet help, it is still the teachers encouragement and creativity to come up with exciting ways to present subject matters using these tools which is the greater factor.I therefore, personally recommend more teacher trainings to familiarize mathematics teachers with the latest technological trends, as well as knowledge in programming, that can help them improve student performance.