7b. Global Citizen | Math | Grades 6-12
Using a collaborative digital board, teachers can post a math problem (e.g., word problem, equation, inequality, etc.) to it and ask them to post their solution as a response. Included in their solution, students must show the series of steps they used to solve the problem along with their solution. In addition, for teachers who wish to develop their students’ mathematical literacy skills, they can have explain how they solved the problem in text as well as show their solution in a series of mathematical procedures. They can also have students include a practical example of when and how they would apply the knowledge they needed to solve the problem. For example, if students were solving a problem that required them to use the Pythagorean theorem, they could also include an image of a physical building and explain how the architect would have needed to use the theorem when planning and then constructing the building. Once all students have responded to the problem, teachers can direct students to view their classmates’ responses and identify ones that used similar and also different procedures to arrive at a similar solution. Students can then form small groups and discuss their method for solving the problem. If students are unable to locate a classmate who used a similar procedure, that student can join the group to hear the different approaches used by its members. When all groups and students have shared, teachers can call the groups back together and ask them to report on their discussion to the whole class.
EdTech Resources for Collaborative Digital Boards
Student Objective
Instructions
Justification
This instructional idea requires students to first solve a math problem and post it to a collaborative board. Students then are able to gain multiple viewpoints and methods for solving the problem but viewing their classmates' work and then debriefing in both small groups and as a whole class.