Data Analytics and Digital Transformation: Empowering Math Educators with Development Services
The integration of digital technologies into people’s lives has had a positive impact in many areas. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how digital skills can be useful nowadays. How do they affect the education system? How is digital transformation changing the math-empowered learning process?
The digitalization of education is the latest trend. Modern schoolchildren have been using gadgets and modern technologies since childhood. We discovered what math 7th graders learn and the new approach to teaching them. Let’s take a closer look at the mathematics professional development process.
Mathematics and Digitalization
It is not surprising that the digitalization process began in the scientific sphere first. It started in the 1940s, when the military and scientists began to put the first computers into practical use. At first, ordinary people couldn’t buy these machines in a usual store. But in the 1970s, PCs were already available to businesses and other users.
In the 1980s, scientists began using the Internet to store and share information, scientific papers, and research. Digitalization has led to mathematics being used for various purposes, including:
- Online algorithms. Here, we can include SEO and the recommendation system in social networks. Mathematical calculus helps analyze the audience, structure their preferences, and divide them into groups.
- Cryptography. It is a reliable communication method that relies almost entirely on mathematics. It includes the development of blockchain technology and data encryption.
- Data analysis. It can be part of math intervention professional development. Complex analytics methods include basic mathematical calculations. Mathematics is actively used in machine learning and data compression.
Modern technologies are completely built on calculations and math professional development, which many teachers learned in universities. Digitalization and the practical use of mathematical knowledge result in 3D modeling, video content creation, design, and many other areas.
Why Do We Need a New Approach to Education?
Each professional development for math teachers is a complex path that depends on the age of the students, the diversity of knowledge, and the school curriculum. Of course, primary school teachers and technical university professors use different literature and approaches. Math PD lessons offer different training programs for them. However, digitalization forces us to change our perspective and introduce new learning methods. We have identified several reasons for this:
- The role of online sources and data analytics has changed. Today, educators reap the rewards of attending math PD for teachers everywhere. More young people are working in IT, design, and game development. It is essential to explain to students the nature of technology and the use of new approaches.
- The new generation needs to navigate new knowledge confidently. Educated citizens mean a strong economy and a growing technology sector. Mathematics can provide the necessary knowledge and skills, but the outdated approach does not allow students to put into practice what they learn in schools and colleges.
- The system naturally needs improvement. Students do not understand how their future work in IT and the topics of algebra and geometry lessons are related. The new generation perceives information differently and needs a unique approach.
Despite the growing popularity of professions in the technosphere, fewer students consider school mathematics their area of interest. For example, teachers and professors in England do not know how to integrate technology into teaching effectively.
Data Analysis as a New Approach to Mathematics
According to the math training for teachers, their main task is to include all students and interest them in their teaching methods. To do this, an inclusive approach, active communication, and brainstorming methods are necessary so that students can generate ideas and use theoretical knowledge in practice. Digitalizing modern learning also involves using basic programming skills.
David Spiegelhalter’s book The Art of Statistics offers an excellent example of an innovative teaching method. He presents a cycle of solving a problem using several steps, which is perfect for working in groups with a teacher.
The significant advantage of this system is that teachers can use it in school to explain simple things and in universities and technical colleges to attract more students to be active.
What Tools Can Math Empowering Educators Use
The digitalization of education has given the world many valuable programs and applications to help teachers and students communicate in the classroom. Most online products can be divided into several categories:
- Practice. Online resources for practice are necessary for primary school students and elementary math professional development. Most often, developers offer game-based tasks to reinforce the learned material.
- Open mathematical problems. They help students understand math concepts by solving practical tasks with multiple answers. One example of a program is Open Middle, which provides functions for students of all ages.
- Visualization and collaboration. These are multitasking programs for practicing algebra and geometry. Teachers can work with groups of students, learn new topics step by step, and use the software’s tools to teach. GeoGebra is an excellent example of a dynamic solution.
- Mind mapping. Some might call it a simple, non-mathematical visualization tool. However, this solution helps to structure classes, analyze complex algorithms, and add more discipline to the lesson. Math-empowered teachers and students can use mind maps for reports and scientific projects.
Of course, the classical approach to education still has privileges. However, this is the basic knowledge that every student should have. Proper integration of digital tools and a new approach will help create an exciting and useful lesson. You can read more about apps for education here.
Development of Teachers’ Knowledge in Modern Conditions
Digitalizing education in recent years has brought rapid changes to the educational culture. The younger generation tends to adapt more quickly to new orders. However, teachers should monitor new trends to provide students with up-to-date information and appropriate teaching approaches. These practical tips will help you better integrate into a modern system:
- Attending math workshops for teachers. Additional courses will help you learn more about the latest education solutions, including students’ psychological aspects.
- Studying the scientific works of other professors and teachers. Recent studies and meta-analyses best demonstrate the impact of technology on the education system. One example is the International Journal of Development Mathematics.
- Communication with students. As mentioned above, the inclusiveness of the educational program is an integral part of the learning process. The influence of communication and the level of audience involvement are part of math teacher professional development.
- Introduction of new technologies and practices. Many university teachers are also practicing software developers, data analysts, game developers, and so on. This shows how digital trends influence education in modern universities.
Digitalization has changed the world, including the education sector. It has brought new technologies and options for empowering learners in schools and universities. Introducing new solutions also helps to use new methods of analysis and problem-solving from the modern development sphere.
