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As mathematics educators at all levels consider effective implementation and instruction related to state or Common Core standards, a frequently asked question is, "What does it mean to be fluent in mathematics?" The answer, more often than not, is, "Fast and accurate." Building fluency should involve more than speed and accuracy. It must reach beyond procedures and computation.

Throughout my nine years in the classroom, I've been eager to test out possibilities for improving teaching and learning through technology use. It's a messy process. Back in February 2010, I broadcast my eagerness to use cell phones in the classroom inEducation Week. Then I changed my stance, arguing in May 2012 that too much social media and gimmicky technology application in the classroom could lead teachers to neglect teaching students substantial skills. Since then, I've tested out Edmodo and continued to explore. After years of experimentation and reflection, here's my current take on smart-and not-so-smart-ways to use technology in the classroom:

  Just how important is information fluency? Well, when you consider that today more information is created in a day than we can even imagine, I'd say it's an increasingly useful skill to retain. 

iPrompt, free app that turns your iPad into a teleprompter, could be useful

increases a child's memory capacity, computer and simulation fluency, helps with fast strategic thinking, hand eye coordination, benefits children with attention disorders, helps particular skill development 

iRead is a group of teachers in Escondido Union School District dedicated to the idea that digital audio can be a powerful learning tool for all students. iRead will give you a chance to create meaningful, curriculum-centered audio projects with your students. Teachers are using digital audio tools (iPods, mics, Garageband, iTunes, Keynote, etc. and various accessories) to improve reading processes. Teachers meet on a monthly basis to exchange ideas and strategies. We started in 2006-07 by collecting data about fluency rates - this proved to be very promising.

Great idea for replacing worksheets in a life cycle unit in G1

Use the contents of this Kit when you need help understanding an information fluency method. 

"The Information Fluency Continuum provides a framework for the instructional aspects of a library program. The framework is based on three standards that form the basis for the skills and strategies that are essential for students to become independent readers and learners."

"Students use the iPod touches to record themselves reading what Nienhueser calls a fresh read passage, as it is the first time they have read it. They then listen to the recording and score themselves based on a rubric given to them by their teacher. The rubric scores students based on their level of fluency, expression, pacing and smoothness. Next, each student meets with a partner so they can evaluate someone else's recording. Nienhueser said students have to be able to explain why they chose the scores they selected. The partners also take time to see if they agree with each other's scores."

"A whisper phone can help kids quietly read out loud without bothering other students. A whisper phone can also help a student hear herself read aloud. Some educators think this helps to build reading fluency. These instructions make 60 whisper phone. Total spent is $24.45 + tax for 60 whisper phone. That is 41 cents each. That is much better than the $1-3 teacher supply stores charge."

Powerpoint? Really?

Privacy. If there ever was a concept that we can look back on nostalgically, it would be privacy (?)

Just how far can we incorporate the concept of video games into modern learning? This article from Edutopia by Judy Willis MD focuses on the video-game-strucutural-model-as-teaching-method scenario.