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Create a collaborative interactive classroom using TI-Nspire Navigator for Networked Computers
Introduction
Imagine a class network for Mac or PC computers able to send and receive docs of all types, generate, mark and dynamically display a wide range of question types, display all student screens and nominate live presenters, even store all student results in portfolio. TI-Nspire Navigator is all this and more.
TI-Nspire Navigator for Networked Computers enables teachers to connect up to 40 student computers through a wired or wireless networking connection (both students and teacher must be on the same network to connect). The complete solution includes TI-Nspire Student Software or TI-Nspire CAS Student Software for the students, and TI-Nspire Navigator for Networked Computers Teacher Software for the teacher.
My lesson begins, like the majority of my lessons over thirty years of teaching, with a quiz. Not random questions but carefully chosen ones. For a five question quiz, I would nominate two topics at the start of the week, and present two questions on each (plus one wildcard question!). Each lesson that week, I ask the same questions with the numbers changed so that students build their confidence and competence. Early in the week, we will spend more time on the quiz, resolving issues and misunderstandings, so that, by the last lesson, most students should be pretty close to scoring full marks. And those are the scores that I record as part of their assessment. It is a great system: I choose the topics carefully to review and consolidate skills and understandings that are needed, sometimes preparing for forthcoming topics, often revising past topics, almost always with some questions related to the current topic.
What is different with the quiz this week is that, instead of verbally stating the question, or putting it up on the board, I can send each question in turn to the students' laptops. I could send all five questions in a single document, and then recall that document to be automatically scored at the end of five minutes. That is how I end the week.
Today I am sending one question at a time, so that we can quickly review the results as they come in. Students learn, not just from their own mistakes, but from the contributions of others.
The teacher's most powerful tool in the classroom is the Question. It is our principle means of engaging and interacting, encouraging learning that is deep and meaningful - if the question is well chosen. In most classrooms, the question samples the students - experienced teachers select the students to answer with care and precision, but inevitably can only hear from a small proportion of the class. With the TI-Nspire Navigator classroom, the act of questioning is a census - responses from every student are collected, scored and displayed.
Once we have completed the quiz, the students work in pairs or small group clusters on their current topic. Because I cover the "skills" component in my quiz, this generally frees more lesson time for concept development and exploration. At the moment, we are working on the classic "paperfold activity": first encountered at the start of high school as a measurement and data collection activity, and then extended to use Pythagoras' Theorem in Year 8.
This Year 11 Mathematics class is applying their knowledge of trigonometric functions to the task, seeking to find, not just the angle that produces the triangle of greatest area (using the sine formula for area) but trying to understand why this result occurs where it does.
Students are measuring the angle and the relevant side lengths to calculate the area, and entering these values into the Quick Poll question which I have sent to them - as they enter each pair of values, the point appears on the common graph screen at the front of the class, and all witness the building of a clear functional relationship. I am also free at any time to capture screen shots of the class, and nominate a student as Live Presenter.
Unique features of TI-Nspire Navigator for NC Teacher Software:
Class Capture allows you to monitor student computers real-time
Quick Poll for dynamic voting and assessment
Live Presenter allows a student to present their computer screen to the class
Class Workspace to send, receive and collect all document types and manage class rosters
Content Workspace to browse for lessons to use in class
Document Workspace where you can view and create lessons to send to students
Review and Portfolio Workspaces to manage student assignments and grades.
TI-Navigator as a classroom assessment, learning and management system is well supported by research over the past decade. Samples include:
Center for Technology in Learning, SRI International (2009) Does math achievement improve when teachers know more about student thinking in a TI-NavigatorTM classroom? Research Notes 14.
Sinclair, M., Owsten, R., Wideman, H and Allan, A. (2009) TI-Navigator Study Final Report.
Stroup, W., Carmona, L and Davis, S (2005) Improving on expectations: Preliminary results from using network-supported function-based algebra.
Dougherty B.J., et al (2005) TI-Navigator Technology and Algebra I. A Study Conducted at the Curriculum Research & Development Group, University of Hawaii.
Arnold, S.M. (2005) Welcome to the Wireless Networked Classroom
Research shows that students tend to score higher on mathematics achievement tests when the teacher knows, through a network-connected classroom, more about how students are thinking about mathematics.
SRI International, 2009
...our preliminary study concludes that, in terms of content knowledge development, the TI-Navigator system had a positive effect on students' understanding of graphing, solving systems of equations, and solving linear equations.
Dougherty, et al, 2005
...we found that use of Navigator can encourage a more open pedagogy (i.e., one that is in line with NCTM precepts) when teachers believe that mathematics is socially constructed and that mathematics teaching must involve students in investigating and discussing mathematics.
Sinclair, et al (2009)
What Can I do with NNC?
TI-Nspire Teacher Software includes a rich range of Question Types
Question Capability: Multiple Choice: These question types offer easy creation of standard templates (eg True/False, ABCD, etc.) and Custom Multiple Choice questions where the teacher can enter the options.
Question Capability: Open Response: These question types allow for both Explanation as well as Text Match questions. The text match allows for quick answers that can be auto-graded by the system.
Question Capability: Equation: These question types let the teacher create questions where the student answer is either in y= or f(x)= form. Student answers can be auto-graded, evaluated for equivalency and graphed for class discussion.
Question Capability: Coordinate Points and List: These question types allow for both textual and graphical input of data. The (x, y) Numerical Input and List question types let the teacher create easy templates for students to fill out, while the Drop Points question type allows for entry of points on the graphical plane.
Question Capability: Expression: This question type allows students to respond with an answer that is a number or expression.
Question Capability: Image: Label type allows labels to be placed on an image. Point On allows placement of multiple radio buttons or check boxes on an image.
Question Capability: Chemistry: The Chemistry question allows students' answers to be formatted in chemical notation.
Question Capability: Collaborative Activity: Use rich, whole-class activities for instruction and lively discussion.
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