The Title V Grant is proving to be a successful program that brings new technological advances into the mathematical world at TAMIU. This program has done it again by providing classrooms with electronic chalkboards known as Smartboards.
These interactive boards are touch sensitive, can be projected from a computer and a television screen, and can even transform handwriting into computer text.
Director of Title V Activity, Mario Martinez, explains that “Title V provides training for faculty members in math in the technology they need to use in order to deliver a better class in algebra.” These Smartboards are designed to facilitate interactive learning with easier web access and more tools.
The combination of technology in the classroom has proven to be beneficial for both faculty and students especially in the math classes. Technological tools have enabled instructors to grasp the attention of the students and made them more excited about learning.
It is evident that in today’s modern world, technology has completely captivated most individuals and accustomed them to fast and entertaining gadgets. This is why Martinez feels that incorporating technology into the classroom enables students to actively participate in the classroom.
Martinez believes that the traditional form of teaching will soon become obsolete due to the ever changing expectation of students and technology. “We are teaching the millennial students…so we need to adapt our teaching to the needs of the student,” stated Martinez.
Since it is clear that most students are attracted to interesting and shiny new things, some people might say that technology may be too much for a classroom and can result in more distractions than actual learning. Although Martinez does feel that there is a limit to how much technology they will implement in the classroom, he still believes that it is needed to provide students the hands-on experience they need. “If we don’t have this, then I’m not going to be servicing my students the way we should,” explained Martinez. “We are trying to prepare you for the future.”
Title V has made a great effort in trying to help students learn and academically prepare them for their futures. Students in every department can gain a lot of experience for the modern world through technology. If all this technology could be applied into every classroom in TAMIU, then the university can further help all students invest in their futures. Title V is a great example of what determination and open minds can do for the interest of the students the professors.
For more information on the Title V – Educational Excellence Project (EEP), visit http://www.tamiu.edu/titlevmath/index.shtml.