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Touro EdSe
601 - Principles of Mathematics - ONLINE REVIEWS
Allison Finkle
-Course Comments finks44@yahoo.com
I
thought that this was an awesome class.
I had heard great things about
your teaching methods from friends who have taken the class along with
other professors at Touro. At first I was a little apprehensive because
I saw a lot of assignments that needed to be done and I was taking 4
other classes. To be honest, a lot of the work I have done at Touro has
been busy work that really did not teach me much. Writing a 10 page
paper in my opinion is a waste of time. I never get anything out of
doing those assignments besides a headache. I really
enjoyed your teaching style and
ironically I think I learned more in an
on – line class then I have sitting for 3 hours a week in the
classroom. All the assignments that you gave had a
purpose and related to the
course in a creative way. I am all about creativity and making learning
fun, as well as showing connections and relationships between various
things.
I learned a
lot of different things in this class. I have
recaptured my understanding of linear
equations as well as geometry terms and basic algebra. I have
also become familiar with ways to instruct learning in the classroom
which is very important for teachers to be familiar with. The concept of
differentiated teaching is one that I hope to instill and use in my
classroom when the time comes. I had never been introduced to this style
of learning before I took this class. I have come to terms with the fact
that I will never be able to solve tricky math puzzles like you would
lay out on the discussion boards, but hey, at least I tried. What I
really learned though is that learning
can be fun if you present it in the right way. All your
assignments had an enjoyable aspect to them that made them fun to
tackle.
I have
taken a bunch of on- line classes and they are so tedious. I literally
copy word for word out of the textbook the week’s assignments. Its
brutal, but, I like taking them because I really enjoy not having to sit
though a three hour class. What really made this on- line class
different was how assessable you were if we had questions. Other
teachers you have to e mail and wait for a potential response. This
class had an open discussion board
were students can talk to each other and get help as well as contact you
and get an immediate response. That helped make the class feel more
intimate. I almost felt like I had met you based on various
conversations I saw you post on the discussion boards. If this wasn’t my
last class at school, I would defiantly
take more on-line classes and would hope that it was taught with
the same style as this class was.
What I
enjoyed most was the video lesson. I love being given opportunities to
explore my creative side and see
what concepts I can come up with and various ways to teach students. I
have always wanted to write songs for children based on different
lessons that they are learning at the time. I have not had an
opportunity to do so yet since I am not a teacher at the present time.
Getting a chance to pretend I was a teaching a class was a
great experience. And on top of
this, I had played the video for friends who said the song was so catchy
they not only found themselves humming it later in the day, but they are
now familiar with the order of operations. So you wanted to know if we
were proud, I say certainly!
Michael Cohen
Brooklyn, New York 11235
March 12, 2006
Dear Professor Stein,
I would like you to know that I found this course to be a
worthwhile learning experience.
As an educator, it is my responsibility to be as well rounded, informed
and up-to-date as possible. This class afforded me the opportunity to
explore new concepts and to
express my own ideas in relation
to various topics. Since this is my fifth online class, I have to admit
I wasn’t looking forward to the work. Other online classes that I’ve
taken in the past had you read an abundance of articles and texts to
simply summarize what you’ve read. The format of your course is quite
the opposite. The assignments were
diversified, challenging and fun.
A lot of the assignments required me to be creative and expressive
which, in my opinion, is a key component to learning. Also, all of the
expectations of your students are very
clear. The web page was easy to follow and understand. At the
onset of the course, I found it very easy to fall into a rhythm of doing
the work. I can honestly say that I
have gotten more out of this course than some courses I’ve taken in
person. In closing, I’d like to say that I
enjoyed this course and that
you’ve made the journey a pleasant and
rewarding one.
To
Whom It May Concern,
I learned a great deal
from this class about teaching mathematics. I was under the impression
that teaching mathematics was simply teaching students formulas and
steps to solving problems before this class. However, I am now aware
that there are a great number of activities and resources to utilize
when teaching math. The technology component I learned from this class
will prove to be invaluable.
The text book on differentiated instruction also opened my
eyes to a number of various approaches to instruction. It helped me to
be more aware of students’ individual differences, and how to instruct
students of varied ability in the same classroom. I was able to apply
many of these concepts right away in the classroom I currently work in.
I am very pleased
with this course. I did not think I would learn as much as I have from
an online course. I was very intimidated at first, but after Professor
Stein explained everything to me over the phone it was very easy to
follow. The best part about the course is that the majority of the
material I learned is applicable to all
subjects, and not just math. I mostly pleased with the
technological aspect to the learning.
I am very proud with the
work that I did in this course. I really dedicated a lot of time
and effort to the work I submitted, and I feel the finished products
reflect that. I was very proud upon completing my portfolio and
submitting it. It truly represented everything I have learned and
accomplished.
Sincerely,
Anthony P. Finochio
afinochio@hotmail.com
March 15, 2006
Dear Professor Stein,
The Principles of Middle School Instruction in Mathematics
class was my first experience with an on-line education course. At
first glance, I wondered what I got myself into. I had no experience
with Blackboard technology and this was my first graduate course after a
13 year hiatus from education. I will say it was a
fabulous learning experience and
am thrilled my journey started
here with you.
My lack of experience with the Blackboard technology was
soon replaced with relevant information and guidance that served as the
stepping stone for the course. A student need only READ the directions
to know how to proceed. If you had questions there were answers. At
times it took more than time to navigate the site in order to know where
or how to submit or respond to assignments but again you needed only to
slow down and read….it was all there.
Drawbacks of the course were probably experienced by
students that didn’t apply themselves or work in a timely manner. My
preferred way of learning is to “work” at something and dedicate the
time it takes to do that. I do feel I spent a considerable amount of
time on this course alone – my choice, my money, I learned, I win!
The lesson that required students to prepare a
30-45 second video was
challenging. Thank you for that. You pushed – I responded. I learned
things I wanted to learn but probably wouldn’t have ~ just yet anyway.
Most surprising was the
interaction with other students, as much or as little as one
wanted. I did not expect that.
The best part of the course for me was the opportunity to
observe “my Professor” with his use of
video for instruction and demonstration. I really
applaud the creative edge used
here. Nice job Dan Stein. I have another online course and have never
“seen or heard” the professor ever. Not my preferred way to experience
education and learning.
You provided challenging, fun, creative, interesting, relevant and
valuable instruction. Thank you.
I do have one question for you, the Professor……..What did
you learn?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Linda H Geesler
Future Great Educator
lgeesler@twcny.rr.com
Crystal Gemma/
EDSE 601 OL Principles of Mathematics
Course Comments
This
was my first online course and even though it was a lot of work
I have truly learned a lot. The
best thing about this course are all the new ideas and helpful web sites
that I now use with my class that I learned about in these passed weeks.
Another great thing was how fast the
professor and other students were willing to help when there was a
problem. This made taking an online course much easier. I was
very nervous about taking a math course over the Internet but it was
completely successful and I am
very pleased and surprise with how much I have taken out of this online
experience.
Diana
Sileno
Touro College
EDSE 601Principles of Middle School Instruction in Mathematics in
General and Special Education, Grades 5-9
Reflection
This class was a lot of fun.
It kept me thinking and introduced me to new topics. I really enjoyed
the just for fun exercises. I learned more about impact, and everyday
mathematics. I thought they we were able to be creative when putting
together our portfolios and I had fun doing it. I was
proud of the way that my portfolio came
out and sad that I did not show anyone how it came out. I had never
taken an online course at
Touro College, but I
have taken online courses at The College of Staten Island. They
differed a little, but I enjoyed it. I
would definitely take another online course. It was more then I
had imagined because of the just for fun part and also because of the
fact that I did interact with another
classmate, which is something that I haven’t always done in an
undergraduate course in a classroom.
This course was easy to follow.
The online drawback of an online course can be that you are
not able to see the progress and assignments that other students have
done. I’m sure many of us were proud of our portfolios, but we were not
able to show them off. I didn’t even get to show my father who I think
would have liked to see it, because he was away. I like online courses
because you can work and read at a pace that is comfortable for you, and
convenient. I was very pleased with
the way my work turned out and how much I was able to learn. The
best part of the course for me would have to be the knowledge that I
walk away with and the fun I had doing it.
I will try to incorporate what I
learned in my future teaching. Even though I will not be
teaching a math class, I would like to find websites that I can use for
my students in the subject that I will teach. One thing that I wish we
could do is get back our portfolios, so that they can be used in job
interviews, as an example to use in the classroom with our own students,
and for those that may go on to a higher level position a guide in
helping us construct portfolios for other classes.
Overall this class was a great
experience.
Diana Sileno
Bananna24@aol.com
Doreen
Magnani
Professor
Stein:
I am sure I made clear my dislike of math. I was very intimidated about
taking this course online - you gave me the courage to try it out - it
was a lot of work, but I have to say I
learned a lot and once I got over the hurdles of not accessing
this online course in the traditional manner (like other online courses
I have taken)I found it to be, well dare I say:
FUN!
I still don't like math and will never be a math teacher, but
I will absolutely be able to apply the
methods that I learned in your class to my (hopefully) social
studies class. Thank you for this unique experience.
Sincerely,
Doreen Magnani,
Instantdor@aol.com
Mathaphobic
Anthony
J Massone
Ref: Reflections and Course Comments
Dear Professor:
I have found the above mentioned course (Principles of
Middle School Instruction in Mathematics in General & Special Education)
to have been wonderful, challenging,
truly a worthwhile learning experience. I found this course
brings teaching into the twenty-first century. It is the first course
that I have taken in teaching that recognizes and demands the blending
of technology with the core courses taught in middle school. In doing so
we are able to grab the attention of students who are light years ahead
of their educators in hands- on computer and new technology usage. The
blending of electronic media and mathematics has always seemed like a
natural fit and this course proves it. For me it was also the way the
course was structured that made it easy
to follow. As an example, the mathematical content area
assignments led the way to developing a lesson plan; which became a
media event when a video of the lesson plan was developed. Every part of
this course has been carefully planned for the student to produce a
quality final product which is a video and a record portfolio which will
be used as an assessment tool.
What added to the genre of
blending technology with teaching mathematics is participating in
this course on line. This allowed me to experiment, under the
professor’s guidance, the use of different hardware and web sites to
instruct my special education students in middle school, in a way that
holds their attention. To all those who have taught special ed students
in middle school, holding their attention is what it is all about.
Because of the new challenges I experienced in this course, the past six
on line courses I have taken seemed boring. Even though I would want to
finish up my Masters program with online course
I can only hope they be as well planned
and developed as EDSE 601OL.
The best part of this cause is that what I experienced and
developed in my math lesson plan and video I used in my eighth grade
resource room class. The students loved it so I will and have continued
to use this teaching strategy for this special student population. I
would like to personally thank you at this time for allowing me to
participate in this wonderful class.
Respectfully Yours,
Anthony J Massone 76z
amassone342@earthlink.net
P.S. I Got the Job!
Comments
from Michael Cohen
This is my
fifth online class with Touro and I must say that this course was really
unique. All of the other online courses were based around reading tons
of literature and summarizing what you've read. The assignments for this
course were diversified, challenging
and fun. Just like a public school classroom teacher, college
professors need to make their required assignments interesting and
worthwhile.
I was very pleased with the format of this course. The assignments held
my interest and I definitely learned a lot. Out of all the assignments,
the videos were my favorite. I'm a visual learner and I found them to be
really educational and easy to follow. Furthermore, I liked the fact
that the assignments called for self expression and opinion. This makes
the learner, especially those participating in an online class, feel as
if their voice is important. Being that this is my last semester and I'm
taking three other classes, I'm glad
that I had the opportunity to take this course.
Cohen,
Michael <michaelc523@yahoo.com>
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