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a High School Algebra Teacher
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No it isn’t. Make them show the notes in their own handwriting. By copying the notes it’s a form of study. Also, make them write a table. This will give them a different view of the relationship of X & Y values. You have to be devious to make them engage in Algebraic Reasoning.
Good Luck
The use of Photomath or other apps did not bother me before, but they get under my skins this year. Since notes have never been a part of the requirements, I won’t get supports from admins. Oh btw, as long as kids log in for the day and doing works for other classes and not mine, I still have to mark them present. I feel defeated this year and it’s not even May.
I’m cynical, but express your concerns to admin through email. Specifically include concern about students’ lack of understanding and how it will affect them in the future (next classes, state testing, graduation, etc). If they do nothing, you have receipts if they try to come down on you about it when shit hits the fan.
I stopped grading assignments and grade notes, reviews, quiz/test. If they cheat, they fail the end of year tests.
This topic has been the hardest to accept during the pandemic. Since it bothers you they are using apps, I would keep having them write the work down to show the steps. Subconsciously the kids will pick up what to do. Does the program you use have a set number of problems? Or does it keep going until it reaches a certain number?
Poll your kids too. How many are going to higher education? How many want to be professionals who use math? To use math, they have to understand its purpose. Showing steps doesn’t always explain the purpose. Kids who know they will need it will complete the work correctly. Students who could care less about math but need to pass, at least they are turning in work.
I have posed a question about what a notation meant during a warmup that showed up from photo math. One kid was right out of 200. He looked at the calculator he had and it told him. I told the kids, if you cannot explain what you write, don’t use it. Check your answers okay. Photo math was designed to help Calculus students. We are not there yet.
I have yet to design a lesson that uses photo math. I should before online is gone. Complete the problem using your notes. Now complete the problem using photo math. What are the similarities and what are the differences? Our standards cover using the appropriate tool and when to. Thank you for the inspiration for the idea.
Probably not much you can do. Like stated, I'd at least have them turn in the "work" in their own handwriting, so at the least they did have to do SOMETHING! 😂 Welcome to the life of Photo Math!
It’s so hard to build intrinsic motivation. Since we switched to standards based grading, I only put a “grade” on summative assessments and I make sure their work is a part of showing proficiency.
Nope. Your admin knows what your up against. They are probably getting directions from higher ups. Just go with the flow v
The debate at my campus is whether a semester exam is given like every year or not, because no final exams were given in May. If kids are taking semester exam at home without any supervision, then solving apps will continue to be used. No point whatsoever. The more I think about this whole ordeal, the more I stress out. Kids will pass without any knowledge of what is going on in the class.
To determine if a battle is worth fighting means also thinking about the cost of fighting it. Think through your specific options to weigh if an alternative is worth it. Can you change the format of your questions to be less solvable by picture apps? Explanation problems are not as easy to be copied. Can you change how it is graded? Points given based on steps within the work (I believe steps can still be copied from apps). Do you want to use a different proctoring method, i.e. zoom? Do you have the bandwidth for any of this or other options?
I’m a team leader of Statistics and a member of Algebra 2 team. I have raised concerns for the past month, but the math specialist and AP always strikes down my suggestion and only approves my approach on grading assignments with works shown. I will be the only one doing it for the next couple of weeks. If grades are low, then I will have to switch back to do accept works from DeltaMath only. I can’t even do testing on Zoom and monitor kids’ behavior because my campus allows kids to have 24 hours to submit any works. I have to follow Algebra 2 team flow and can’t do things on my own. I see so many flaws, but admins on my campus refuse to change. From meetings after meetings, all I get is how I have to pass kids that do works on DeltaMath (again they complete within minutes) and attendance for funding. All other campuses in my district monitor kids’ work on zoom, but mine doesn’t.
I JUST found a new site: https://freemathapp.org/index.html
It looks great for letting students show their work. It may be a way that helps you out...especially for making them take some more time on assignments...it also compares student work automatically and places those students whose work is identical side by side for you so you can compare them! Like I said, I’ve not had a chance to use it yet, because I just found it; it looks really cool and I do hope to be able to try it out for myself soon!
I would make them show work, but I'm mean about that and I think that I can make an argument to admin for making them show work if I get pushback. Tell them to suck it up. (I'm not feeling particularly giving today).
Yes, students love photomath!! So this semester 20% of my students grade comes from a portfolio of work. They have to show all steps on three problems from each assignment and turn them in once a week for a grade. I know the ones that plan to go to a four year college will do their own work for the most part. The ones going to trade schools will most likely find someone to copy from ... which I will be able to tell as I know their capabilities. But the truth is those are the ones that should have never been in Algebra II to start with. I’m a type A personality and level five teacher but this pandemic has forced me to really question my teaching methods and also take a deep breath and relax!!!
What is your goal? You cannot clearly assess students under these conditions. Will the fight help your students learning? No. Just give them low grades. I would recommend not giving 0's for these, but adding separate grades where they students have to explain there work on one or two problems. These can be deeper problems. Accept the fact that we cannot clearly assess skills under these conditions.
Another thought, I have my students sign their name on each paper they submit with their work.