Journal 2

Speaking Math: Using Chat in the Multicultural Math Classroom
Janet Graham and Ted Hodgson

The article is about a project brought to a multi-ethnic high school to see if technology tools can be used to learn and understand math. They set up a course management system (CMS), called Moodle. The system is made up of online discussions and chat rooms that the students can communicate on. There are no math symbols allowed in the software, therefore it makes the students use the vocabulary to express their answers and questions. The teacher monitors the chats to make sure the content is appropriate and the students are on task. The teacher also responds with further questions and other activities. If the teacher can tell through the discussions that the students need additional help on a subject, they can facilitate an in-class discussion and lesson. This project has found that communications through technology helps non-native speakers. It allows them time to think about their responses and also read others responses to understand the grammar they have used. There are many items such as online acronyms that are standard for all international contributors. Since this project takes place during school hours in computer labs, it allows those students who do not have access to a computer outside of school to become familiar with computers and how they work.

I believe this project is a very good idea. If it helps the students learn math a different way and be able to understand the terms and the meanings than it is worth it. It also allows students to be able to communicate with people they might not be able to face to face due to language barriers. Another part that I liked about the project was the fact that it was taking place during school hours where all students had the same access to the same type of computers.

Questions:

1. According to the project who do they say communications through technology helps?
Non-native speakers because it allows them time to think about their responses and read other responses to familiarizes themselves with the language.

2. How does this project help deal with the inequalities of students and technology?
The project takes place during school hours in a computer lab therefore allowing those students who do not have access to a computer outside school to become familiar with computer during school.