1/24/2012
Today I will start working with Impact Academy, in Hayward. One of the teachers has asked for me to collaborate with her about how to blend her classroom. She is teaching an course entitled ‘Academic Numeracy’ which serves as a support class to the Algebra I class. This teacher is already utilizing a computer based program called Flex Math, which is used at Leadership Public Schools, and she would like to further individualize her curriculum by introducing Khan Academy.
There are some benefits to using both of these programs. The teacher feels that Flex Math is designed in a way that supports teacher action. Meaning, even though the students progress using the program there are moments where the teachers is talking and interacting. The teacher really likes the Flex Math’s launches, which is like a warm-up or a do-now; a structured way to start the lesson. The teacher feels that these launches make the students think.
In debriefing with the teacher she expressed that she finds the Khan tutorials difficult. she claims ” you can’t learn from them,” a sentiment that seems to be a hot topic at the moment. The students like to work on Khan and are motivated by the interface, using this in tandem with Flex Math seems to be a great way to maximize instructional time.
