MELT: Technology
Session 2: Epistemological Tool vs Pedagogical Tool Instructor Guide
Pedagogical Goals: Teachers will be able to identify epistemological from pedagogical tools.
Teachers will be able to identify how the technology is used and in some cases it may be either
(calculators for instance).
Technological Goals: Teachers will be able to create and share a Google form.
Mathematical Practices:
 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
 Use appropriate tools strategically.
Length of session: 90 minutes
Materials needed: Computers with Internet access, Smartphone with Internet access or service,
Tablets with Internet access or service.
Overview: This session is meant to be an introduction to tools that are epistemological and
pedagogical. The focus is on how the tools can/should be used to enhance the classroom and
mathematics instruction. Some of the tools will used throughout the week but the focus will be
on the use of epistemological tools. Below are notes, links and some suggested activities to use
to demonstrate the tools. Begin the session using a kahoot quiz about the 8 mathematical
practices. The three activities of the session will be:
 stations to explore different pedagogical tools
 creating a Google Form and analyzing the results
 jigsaw activity using the articles in the epistemological tool section.
A participant handout included to be passed out after the Station Activity. It has links and
information about Pedagogical Tools that participants and explore in their free time.
Time
10 minutes
Activity
Kahoot Quiz : https://getkahoot.com/
Participants will need access to a tablet, computer, or smartphone with
internet access.
Login to https://getkahoot.com/
○ It is a free account , use the following link for the
Mathematical Practice Quiz :
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/b546cf0e-d685-46c4-9ada6b34fd98210c
Have participants take the quiz, show how to download results and what
the results page contains. How is this tool useful in the classroom? How
can participants use the results page to inform teaching practices and
improve student learning?
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MELT: Technology
30 minutes
25 minutes
20 minutes
Station Activity: Pedagogical Tools (enhance how a task is accomplished)
Activity can be set up in a computer lab or with the use of participant
computers. Divide participants in to 3 groups ( 3 stations) and allow 10
minutes for each station. Multiple computers may need to use for each
station depending participant enrollment. Idea to get a look at different
tools. Participants should be given copies of the activity note page.
Google Drive Activity
Begin with a discussion about how teachers use Google Drive in the
classroom currently. Have participants visit the Blog from a High School
Teachers and discuss any new ideas or interests.
 Blog from High School Teacher :
http://teachhighschoolmath.blogspot.com/2014/01/google-drivewhat-are-you-waiting-for.html
Using the Google Training Doc how to share and collaborate if need. Link
to a video is provided if participants want to learn more after class.
 Basic How to Video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ZvYRU1Y5Y
Google Forms and Grading – Show participants how to make a google
form and demo how to use flubarro to grade. Links are provided for use
outside of the workshop for participants.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmskp8HA62o
 Flubaroo User Guide : http://www.flubaroo.com/flubaroo-userguide
Activity : In pairs, generate a brief activity where you could use Google
drive to collect/analyze data. Send form/survey to group, analyze data,
present findings to group. Pedagogical discussion about how this could
play out in the classroom with students. Use Google Training Document
as an aid in this activity.
Epistemological Tools (changes user’s competencies)
Discuss software, show where to get pre-made activities (5 minutes)
Dynamic geometry software
● Sketchpad http://sketchexchange.keypress.com/
● GeoGebra http://www.geogebra.org/cms/en/
Use of CAS and Dynamic statistical software
Jigsaw with activities and discuss (15 minutes)
● “The Ethics of Using Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) in
High School Mathematics” :
http://ucsmp.uchicago.edu/resources/conferences/2012-03-01/
● “Teachers' Statistical Problem Solving with Dynamic
Technology: Research Results Across Multiple Institutions”
http://www.citejournal.org/vol12/iss3/mathematics/article1.cfm
Lunch Break
Discussion
Before leaving for lunch break pose the following questions for
participants to discuss over lunch: What type of tool is a calculator?
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