Feb 11, 2023 1 min read Podcast

Teaching Mathematics Using Technology with Tom Button

Photo by Roman Mager / Unsplash

Tom Button is MEI’s Mathematics Technology Specialist and the Technology PD lead for the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP). He’s an expert in the use of technology for the teaching and learning of maths and has both developed resources and presented a large number of PD courses on this. He has also been involved in curriculum development including the Further Pure with Technology component of MEI A level Further Maths and MEI’s recent Introduction to Data Science course. Before working for MEI Tom taught A level Maths and Further Maths in Sixth Form Colleges. He tweets about technology in maths at @mathstechnology and blogs at https://digitalmathematics.blogspot.com.

In this episode, we explore:

Pedagogy

1- How was maths traditionally been taught and what impact can technology have?

2- Does using technology require a different pedagogical approach to teaching and learning Maths?

3- Should maths be taught through investigations or problem-based learning? Can technology help with this?

Technology

1- Why are there so many options for using technology: GeoGebra, Desmos, Autograph, graphical calculators? What advice would you give to schools making a choice about which ones to use with their students?

2- How are these platforms developing? Are there any new features that teachers might be interested in?

Schools and Teachers

1- If a teacher is nervous about using technology in class where should they start?

2- Which is more important – teachers using technology at the front of the class or students using technology themselves?

3- Should schools allow students to use mobile phones in class?

4- What opportunities are there for teachers to develop their skills?

5- What advice would you give to teachers who are expected to deliver some online/blended learning component for their classes this year? Should teachers use some form of video element for teaching maths?