If I were to ask my elders, my colleagues, and my current students to describe what your math homework looks/looked like, I assume that everyone would have a similar answer. Most would say their homework was do questions 1-30 odd from section 2.3. If I were to ask in what form it was turned in, most would saw on paper with pencil (and more often than not, it _had_ to be pencil).

We've all done this type of homework, and we've all survived. So why would I hate it?

1) Everyone submits the same thing.
Student work should be creative! Messy! Different! Diverse! If student work does not produce different results, why are they doing it? And if everyone does submit the same thing, does that not invite cheating?

Show me a math class where students have traditional homework, and I'll show you students that cheat on their homework.

2) There's no feedback.
For you to truly learn something, you need effective, quality, and constant feedback. Or else, how would you know if you are actually learning? If you are learning to ride a bike, how do you know if you are doing it wrong? You fall. If you are learning to juggle, how do you know if you are doing it wrong? The balls fall on the floor. If you are learning the perfect form to shoot a basketball, how do you know if you are doing it wrong? You miss the shot! Learning in the classroom should be like that. (Feedback is also why many are immersed in games, but I digress. See Jane McGonagall.)

In a math classroom, what feedback do students get for their homework? In most cases (and I am guilty of it), it's similar to a check, check+, check- grading. Does that help a child know if they are doing it right or wrong? And if does not, can you see why students hate math? Imagine spending an hour every day learning how to ride a bike, juggle, or play basketball and never knowing if you are doing it right!

3) Teachers do not check _all_ the students' work.
I would also venture to say that teachers never check every one of their student's responses to the math problems.

If math teachers are not checking everything, why should it be graded? Furthermore, how do students learn from their mistakes? Yes, they can check the back of the book, but how does that help them know where they went wrong or right?

SOLUTION
I am not one to whine about a problem without offering an alternative solution. I offer three ways math teachers can avoid this: (in order of laziness/difficulty.)

- Make homework project-based! Rather than math worksheets, or problems out of the book, make them create! Perhaps they can make instructional videos/screencasts about the concept. Or video math stories. Or blog about the topic. Every student's submission should be unique!

- Give online homework! Using a textbook's online resources or an LMS, like Schoology, gives the students multiple attempts to solve a question, AND give them feedback/suggestions/hints if they get it wrong! It would be asking too much of our math teachers to read and check and give feedback for every single problem that is attempted for homework. So let a computer do it!

- Flip your classroom! If you're bold and techie enough, make student watch your lectures online for homework. That way, they can absorb the lesson at their own pace, and it leaves room for doing the practice in the classroom. That way, you can give quality feedback face to face in class. Play some games, or set up worksheet stations, or do some math labs! Fun for both the teacher and students.

This week, Apple unveiled a "little more" during their keynote, showcasing upgrades to nearly all their computer and tablet lines. The highlight of the event was the introduction of the new iPad mini, a smaller wonder of the "regular" iPad. Reactions have been mixed to say the least, with most up in arms with the $329 price point, while direct competitors like Nexus 7 are sub-$200.

However, I'd like to argue that perhaps the target of this new entry into the Apple world is not the typical consumer. Instead, Apple clearly and strongly staked its claim as the computing device leader in K-12 classrooms. Below are three reasons why Apple made the right move and are poised to change K-12 education as we know it.

It's the best way to read textbooks. While potential 1:1 schools and districts debate the best device in the classroom, the overwhelming choice across the US continues to be the iPad. Its long battery life, form factor conducive to reading, and easy maintenance tend to tip the scales in the iPad's favor.

Now the iPad mini is easier to hold and functions just like an full featured iPad. I truly believe we are looking at the next medium by which future K-12 students will read texts, view the web, and communicate with the world.

It's manageable. When other edtech directors ask me which device I suggest for their organization, I always have the same response: the best device is the one that fits the needs and culture of your school.

Most private schools, like the one I work for, are not blessed with the resources to employ large tech support departments. They're lucky if they even have one full time tech on staff! For that reason alone, the iPad mini fits the needs of many schools. Its closed interface, aversion to viruses (for now), and simple design make it easy for anyone to maintain or fix (save for a cracked screen.) If schools were to completely move to an iPad mini environment, loads of energy does not have wasted on tech support, making it easier for them to adopt.

Bottom line: Kids learn on it and it's affordable. When it comes to learning, K-12 students of today need a device that they can connect to the Internet, read on comfortably, and supports modern learning tools and apps, such as media creation, interactive textbooks, and learning management systems. And if they can get that at $329, while significantly reducing the cost of textbooks, then it's a no-brainer.

Okay, so it's not the $200 device that everyone was hoping. Nor significantly cheaper than a netbook or Chromebook. But it's also not the cost of a full fledged laptop, and it's cheaper than the iPad 2 by $70. And in the Apple ecosystem, textbooks are $15 or less. Can't beat that.

Again, ultimately, schools will pick the device that fits the needs and culture of the school. And I believe the iPad mini will fit the bill for the majority of schools in the coming years, ultimately disrupting the textbook model and learning process as we know it. (In a good way.)

I just started using Schoology this year and I am in love. Why didn't I have this earlier when I was a first year teacher? If you have not used Schoology in your classroom yet, now is the time to start!

Though I am a huge promoter, I do run into a lot of detractors. The number one question I get, even just from my co-workers, is why should I use Schoology in my classroom? So I generated a list of the ways I use it:

1) Flipping the Classroom

You can read more and more about why flipping the classroom is great for student learning. All I can say is that I, and my students, have been enjoying watching my own instructional videos for homework. But how can I prove a student watched it? With Schoology, I create an "Online Test/Quiz" where the student watch one of my videos and answer follow-up questions such as "Write a three sentence summary" or "Discuss something you learned." The best part about it? Now I have a lot of instructional time in the classroom to fill with labs, activities, and the "fun stuff."

2) Discussion Boards

Still a work in progress, but I love how students can now all share resources and thoughts with each other outside of the classroom. For example, for Veteran's Day, I had student embed videos or articles of inspiring military stories. Not only was it great for me, but the students loved to share and watch/read what others contributed. Isn't that what learning is about?

3) Online Quizzes/Tests

What better way to prepare students for college than online tests and quizzes? Even when I was in college, most of my assessments had to be completed online, and it is getting even more prevalent. The benefit for the teacher? You don't have to grade so much! And students get immediate feedback!

So there's a few reasons why I love Schoology. Try it out!