I felt that this experience was very valuable for me as a future educator.

I learned that

there are so many different technologies that can be used to teach math concepts, some that I was

already familiar with and others that I wasn’t until this project. I had never heard of the Dash

Robot before, so I enjoyed getting a chance to work with it and think of the different ways I

might use it in my future classroom. Throughout this project, I learned that it’s important for us

teachers to embrace new ideas and technologies that we may not be familiar with, and integrate

them into math instruction where it is appropriate and beneficial. We should be open to new

ideas of how to teach math to our students so that they can have more engaging learning

opportunities that help them build deep conceptual knowledge.

Our lesson using Dash reflects the recommendation to make math lessons hands-on in

elementary schools. By using this technology, students are having a hands-on experience with

measurement and get to work with tools aside from a yardstick or ruler. There is a strong focus

on the attribute of length, and students practice working with the standard units of length. It will

help with two big objectives that VandeWalle points out, which are understanding the meaning of

measuring a particular attribute and learning about the standard units commonly used to measure

that attribute (VandeWalle, 2019, p. 464). This is also a very worthwhile task because students

are able to develop the formula for perimeter rather than simply being taught it. By measuring

the lengths of each side and adding them together to find the perimeter, students develop this

formula instead of just knowing to solve 2l + 2w. This will help them have a conceptual

understanding of the formula and will decrease the likelihood of confusing perimeter and area

later on (VandeWalle, 2019, p. 479).

A benefit of using the Dash Robot to teach the concepts of measurement and perimeter is

that students are also learning about coding during the activity. This is a skill that it is
recommended that students have exposure to during elementary school, and helps with problem

solving skills. Another benefit of using the Dash Robot is becoming more comfortable with units

of length. Students will see that the attribute of length is present and can be measured even if

they don’t have a meter stick or ruler. They will also make a connection between length and

distance traveled. Finally, it is very beneficial for students to use this technology during the

lesson because they will be more engaged and will be excited about learning these concepts.

Teacher TPaCK was present in this lesson because the topic covered was chosen based on

what this technology can do and what concepts it would be most useful for studying. For

example, we considered doing a lesson on place value, but we felt that the abilities of the Dash

Robot were more relevant to the concepts of measurement and perimeter, as it can move around

and be coded to measure distance. Making this informed decision about the lesson topic shows

how the teachers have a strong understanding of the technology, content being covered, and

pedagogical methods that are best suited for the topic. Student TPaCK is evident as students

become more familiar with using the Dash Robot and seeing how its abilities relate to

measurement and perimeter.

After doing this project, my instructional goals for myself as a future teacher are to

integrate technology into my lessons where it would be beneficial. I want to provide my students

with a variety of learning opportunities that will keep them engaged and help them understand

math. My goal is to avoid simply giving my students a worksheet every day, but instead giving

them hands-on opportunities to create invented strategies and work with different tools as they

explore math concepts.