Assignment 1b: ICT provides a rich and flexible learner-centred environment in which students can experiment and take risks when developing new understanding.

ICT provides a rich and flexible learner-centred environment in which students can experiment and take risks when developing their understanding.


There are many software packages in the learning area of Mathematics which allow students to explore Mathematics concepts.


During my placement, I observed a teacher using Geogebra to explain the relationships between angles and circles to a year 9 class, for example, “The measure of an inscribed angle of a circle is half of the measure of its intercepted arc”. The software package allows students to visualize, experience and explore moving the angle within a circle. Students can test the theory and explore the limits. It is much better than having a teacher draw diagram after diagram to prove their point. This software allows students to see that the theory works in practice, and it is easy for students to check different cases by themselves and actively reconstructing the knowledge.


Using Geogebra to demonstrate the inscribed angle theorem is shown in this Youtube video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNwwrOnkqDA


The Geogebra website (http://www.geogebra.org/cms/en) has a lot of material for students and teachers to look at. Many of the theories and concepts of mathematics can be explained and explored with this application. Physics is another subject area where teachers could use Geogebra, to explain different ideas such as reflection and motion.


There are other programs that allows student to explore. In my Year 7 class, students have been working on Algebra. They are learning to understand rules and how to write them. The teachers in my placement had put together a list of activities that students can do on the FUSE website.


An example FUSE page - attribute trains


These activities allows students to use trial and error, and to work at their own pace. If students did not get the rule at the first attempt, they can try again. With visual prompting, students are able to try different things to find one that works.


The Learning resource ID on FUSE are ZPPGQ7, 9UEJA5 , 59L99F, BJU6UV, NNY4JA and many more. On each of these interactive pages, students are not only able to explore, they are able to practice and check their answers immediately.  Students will know whether their choice is correct without waiting for the teacher to come and check. They are able to try again if it is not correct.

These are just a few of the things that I have seen. ICT allows students to take charge of their learning. They are able to check their own work to make sure they understand. Students are able to work more independently. If students are anxious about making mistake, they can work by themselves and not worry about their friends finding out about mistake. This encourages students, especially students with low confidence to be braver with their learning. The resource that available on line mean that students are able to explore a lot more by themselves. And they can explore a lot wider and deeper in a shorter period of time.