3 iPad apps to assist teaching mathematics

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Mathboard

Featured in the recent iPad TV ad "Learn".

This is the best integer practice app or program I have found in 34 years of teaching math. - Tim Seiber, Math Teacher

MathBoard is a stunning app for teaching addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. The number of customization options available make this a brilliant app for making math fun for elementary school children. -www.androapple.com

MathBoard has charm without losing track of its fundamental purpose (Arithmetic drills). - MacWorld (4 out of 5 mice)

MathBoard is a fantastic math learning tool for your iPad. -- MathBoard is appropriate for all ages from kindergarten (with simple addition and subtraction problems) to elementary school where learning multiplication and division can be a challenge. You can control the range of numbers you want to work with, the amount of questions you want to answer and even assign a time limit per quiz. MathBoard will make learning math fun. 

MathBoard features:
- Random problem generation (up to 250 questions per quiz). 
- Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Squares, Cubes and Square Roots
- Number ranges are configurable from -9999 to 9999, including the ability to require certain numbers to be in each problem.
- Intelligent "wrong" answer generation makes guessing more difficult. Includes the ability to omit negative answers.
- A quiz can be timed, and timing can be set as a countdown timer or elapsed time.
- A quiz can be saved making it simple to replay a similar quiz or the same quiz at a later date.
- Wrong answers are reviewable with both the incorrect and correct answer visible (and equation displayed). You can even generate a quiz from just the wrong answers.
- Problem Solver for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division will explain the required steps to solve these types of problems.
- Quick reference math tables for Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication.
- LanSchool EdApp certified.
- Supports VGA/HDMI/AirPlay Output.

 

Wolfram Alpha Algebra Assistant

Taking algebra? Then you need the Wolfram Algebra Course Assistant. This definitive app for algebra--from the world leader in math software--will help you quickly solve your homework problems, ace your tests, and learn algebra concepts so you're prepared for your next courses. Forget canned examples! The Wolfram Algebra Course Assistant solves your specific algebra problems on the fly, often showing you how to work through the problem step by step.

This app covers the following topics applicable to Algebra I, Algebra II, and College Algebra:

- Evaluate any numeric expression or substitute a value for a variable.
- Simplify fractions, square roots, or any other expression.
- Solve a simple equation or a system of equations for specific variables.
- Plot basic, parametric, or polar plots of the function(s) of your choice.
- Expand any polynomial.
- Factor numeric expressions, polynomials, and symbolic expressions.
- Divide any two expressions. 
- Find the partial fraction decomposition of rational expressions.

The Wolfram Algebra Course Assistant is powered by the Wolfram|Alpha computational knowledge engine and is created by Wolfram Research, makers of Mathematica---the world's leading software system for mathematical research and education.

The Wolfram Algebra Course Assistant draws on the computational power of Wolfram|Alpha's supercomputers over 2G, 3G, or WiFi connection.

 

 Includes tutorials, lessons, quizzes, flashcards, decision trees, calculators, and glossaries for terms, formulas, and symbols. 

◊ “This app is the best statistics tool I’ve ever seen.” 
◊ “This could very well be the future of university textbooks.” 
◊ “It's a great tool to go to for an easy answer.” 
◊ “I can learn anywhere or anytime.” 
◊ “The quizzes help ensure I comprehend the lessons.” 
◊ “It gives real-life examples in each lesson and tables so I can easily reinforce the information I just read. 

The app was designed by educational psychology Ph.D.s, statistics teachers, and software experts. Many of us learned stats the traditional, boring way – through books and lectures. We always wanted more interactive, visual, and engaging ways to learn stats. Statistics has many abstract concepts so we use real-world examples to anchor your understanding. 

 

 Statisitics 1 for iPad

Includes tutorials, lessons, quizzes, flashcards, decision trees, calculators, and glossaries for terms, formulas, and symbols. 

◊ “This app is the best statistics tool I’ve ever seen.” 
◊ “This could very well be the future of university textbooks.” 
◊ “It's a great tool to go to for an easy answer.” 
◊ “I can learn anywhere or anytime.” 
◊ “The quizzes help ensure I comprehend the lessons.” 
◊ “It gives real-life examples in each lesson and tables so I can easily reinforce the information I just read. 

The app was designed by educational psychology Ph.D.s, statistics teachers, and software experts. Many of us learned stats the traditional, boring way – through books and lectures. We always wanted more interactive, visual, and engaging ways to learn stats. Statistics has many abstract concepts so we use real-world examples to anchor your understanding. 

 



AFL Football Maths

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With the AFL finals season just starting to heat up you might want to take a look at the AFL mathematics tasks planner.  It has a number of resources for students and teachers that will really get your boys engaged because they can tie in one of their great passions with maths.  Download it here.

Who’s No. 1? Investigating the Mathematics of Rankings

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No. 13 seed Oakland, with Travis Bader and Coach Greg Kampe, makes a tempting pick against No. 4 Texas in the second round.

Jay Pickthorn/Associated PressThe No. 13 N.C.A.A. seed, Oakland, with Travis Bader and Coach Greg Kampe, makes a tempting pick against No. 4, Texas, in the second round.Go to related FiveThirtyEight blog post »|Go to related article »Overview| Rankings and ratings can have considerable, and serious, implications. How do we determine that a student, team, school, teacher or policy is better than another? And what does “better” mean? In this lesson, students explore the use of quantitative ratings by examining how Division I college basketball teams are ranked, and how specific mathematical decisions can have significant consequences.

Materials| Computers with Internet access; Simple Spreadsheet software (optional)

Warm-up| Tell students to pair up and work with their partners to answer the following questions:

How can we determine the top student in school? Would you use a single variable, like grade point average? Or would you create a ranking system based on multiple variables, like G.P.A. and standardized test scores, activity participation and perhaps other factors? How might you begin to create a fair composite ranking system using quantifiable measures?

Read More

Maths Card Game - More / less / the same - Place value

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Thankyou to Michael Ymer for this great game suitable for students from Prep to Year 6.

Card game for groups of four. Remove picture cards and jokers. Deal each child 6 cards. Cards left placed in the middle and turn the top one over.

Taking turns the children place a card down according to

* same number. * one more or one less. * two more or two less. * double the number

* half the number

The child must verbalise the choice they have made to discard and why. If a card cannot be discarded then a card is picked up from the deck.

First to discard all their cards wins the game.

Variations

Discard two or more cards that add up to the card displayed.                                  

Include the Joker with the value of zero.

Include the picture cards with the values   Jack  11     Queen 12      King  13

Maths Card Game 10 in a row - Choosing and using operations

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Thanks to Michael Ymer for another great game suitable for students from Prep to Year 6.

Children play game in pairs. All picture cards removed leaving numbers 1 – 10.

Place 10 cards face up in a row. The remainder of the deck kept together face down. Students take it in turn rolling a ten sided dice [ Can use a six sided dice ]. Using the number that is displayed the student is challenged to use combinations of cards to equal the number. Cards used to make the answer are collected and kept by each student and then replaced from the deck. The game continues until all cards have been used. Young children will use addition / subtraction to make answers using two cards. Older or more able students can use any combination of operations, decimals, negative numbers, fractions, order of operations etc and use up to five cards. Students need to articulate how they make the answer, trying to gather more cards than their partner.

Variations

Use six sided dice. Offer counters that can be added to total collection of cards at end of game for using operations and signs other than addition or subtraction.

Roll two dice making a two digit number as the target.

Hooking Students in by linking Science with English and Maths

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Thanks to Scott from mytopten.com.au for this one

Primary Connections…

Hi all,

Just  a quick post to let you know about this fantastic resource. It’s calledPrimary Connections!

It is a free online resource that you can use to assist teaching science in your classroom. It has everything you’ll need to teach the greatest science lessons! From giving you the science behind particular activities to all the printables and lists of resources you will need. In the units that you will view online, you will see the links between science, literacy and numeracy. I suggest trying the ‘Helicopter’ Experiment in the Push and Pull unit as there are so many links to maths and literacy.

If you are interested in the resource, contact them and they will organise someone to speak to you. I just went to a professional development day with them and it was great. They may even give you all the units for free…

http://www.science.org.au/primaryconnections/

Excellent Free Interactive Maths Resources for all ages from NRICH

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Thanks to Colleen for putting on to NRICH.  NRICH is a brilliant resource that should be in the favourites of every maths teacher developed and has been developed by the university of Cambridge

NRICH is a team of qualified teachers who are also practitioners in RICH mathematical thinking. This unique blend means that NRICH is ideally placed to offer advice and support to both teachers and learners of mathematics.

NRICH has been directly involved in the development of the National Curriculum. This means that we can offer informed guidance and practical advice and help in its implementation.

 

NRICH aims to:
  • Enrich the experience of the mathematics curriculum for all learners
  • Offer challenging and engaging activities
  • Develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Show rich mathematics in meaningful contexts
  • Work in partnership with teachers, schools and other educational settings
For teachers of mathematics, we:
  • Offer you FREE enrichment material (Problems, Articles and Games) at all Key Stages that really can help to inspire and engage learners and embed RICH tasks into everyday practice.
  • Help to promote RICH thinking in classrooms by offering on-line and face-to-face support at Primary and Secondary level.
  • Deliver professional development courses and workshops in rich mathematics.
  • Help teachers to think strategically about 'next steps' and progression in problem solving.
And for those learning mathematics, we:
  • Provide FREE and interesting mathematical games, problems and articles.
  • Encourage you to share your solutions to our mathematical problems.
  • Have Mathematicians that can help you to solve problems - just 'Ask NRICH'!
  • Offer a safe online space where you can meet others with similar interests.

Access NRICH Here

 

My Top Multiplication Games

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Thanks to Scott McGlynn from mytopten.com.au for these great multiplication games for students.  They are a great option for the classroom or as some 'fun' homework.  I'd love to hear if you have any others.

Balloon Invaders

                                                          

 Grand Prix

 

Batter's Up Baseball

                          

 

The Ambleweb Tables Tester

 

   

 

  Learn your Tables