Reading #1 TPACK

Teaching in the twenty-first century requires the integration of new electronic technologies into the classroom. Teachers’ knowledge must include many areas that are crucial in helping students learn in today’s world. One critical area is subject matter content knowledge.
I teach special education and my restricted content area endorsement will be math. The major theme of math includes using problem solving strategies to determine the answer to a particular problem. Any mathematical problem may be solved by employing the steps of a problem solving strategy to systematically discover the answer.
My content area relies on specific processes in developing its key themes. The specific processes include using real world models to help students solve problems. As math is taught in a real world context, the problem solving steps that are used to develop answers become very important. The thought process that is used to discover answers becomes the basis to become proficient at mathematics.
Math is very dependent on the way you learn the subject. There is often different ways to come to the same conclusion, but the way that the teacher learned the material the best is often the way it is taught. I have realized that not all students learn the same way, so I have been working on ways to differentiate instruction. I can now see that the way the material is presented is often the difference between whether students understand or not. It is important to not give up and try to find new ways to meet the diverse learning needs of the class.
I think in terms of math as an integrated whole. The culmination of different mathematical problems all come together to solve even bigger, more complex problems. In addition, math can be tied into other content areas such as reading skills which are required in solving word problems.
My knowledge of mathematics represents an integration of problem solving ability along with being able to differentiate instruction to offer additional ways to look at a problem. Through learning the material myself, I am able to anticipate potential roadblocks that students may face when learning. Through this experience, I am able to integrate additional concepts into the material to help alleviate problems.