Saturday, April 5, 2014

Blog Post #7

21st Century Learning Tools and You

Picture of different functions created on www.Desmos.com
One tool that I have been an advit fan of for about 6 months now is Desmos.com. This is an online graphing calculator that can be used to help students see graphs as they are created and graphs in motion. It allows students to create pictures using math as well as identify the behavior of functions as they approach certain points. I have used Desmos.com as a substitute teacher and it has been a hit for the students. The students have communicated that it has helped them understand functions and what they were doing by seeing the changes in graphs as we changed the function. I have had some fun with students by creating pictures using the graphing calculator with their input. This was a little challenging because the students had to figure out what functions they would need to use to make the pictures look the way they wanted them to. I have used Desmos.com in my lesson plans but those uses of Desmos.com was just for fun. Desmos.com has many uses other than the fun ones I have discussed above. Desmos.com is useful for teachers with smartboards especially when trying to explain a concept like sine, cosine, and other trig functions. It is great for showing how functions that have inverses are related to each other. It is a great tool for a teacher and best of all it is free for all to use. I would recommend the use of Desmos.com to any math teacher. It is a great tool to use to explain functions using graphs.

Picture of Algebasics logo
Other math tools I have found or have been directed to by members of my PLN are Algebasics and GeoGebra. Algebasics is a site (much like Khan Academy but with much less content) that students can use for reinforcement of material learned in class. It explains different types of Algebra equations and goes through a verbal step by step process of how to solve these equations. It is a useful tool if you need additional help but it doesn't really offer too much. It is great for someone who doesn't want to be bombarded by an overwhelming amount of information but wants to understand the material better.
Picture created using GeoGebra of a circle, some lines, and a triangle
GeoGebra, on the other hand, has a lot to offer. Unlike Algebasics, you download GeoGebra to your computer or network (all free of charge) and use this graphing utility to solve all types of problems. To me, GeoGebra is great for introducing and explaining Geometry concepts and it can be used in the classroom and you can have your students play with the program at home on their personal computer. Yes, it can be used for Algebra and creating Spreadsheets and even some CAD designs but I haven't used it for those purposes as of yet; I am still learning the program. I do see this program as a great tool for Geometry teachers and possibly Algebra teachers as well.

picture of mathplayground.com banner
The last tool I want to introduce you to is MathPlayground.com. This is a great tool for Elementary teachers through 8th grade teachers. It is a website that is dedicated to learning math while having fun. I played some of the games on there that I thought were useful for introducing my Algebra students to certain topics and my son (who is in 6th grade) got interested in the games and wanted to play them also. This let me know that this was a good tool for students. My daughter, who is in 10th grade now and Algebra 2, was also interested in the games on this site. As math teachers, we have to find a way to make learning a subject most people think they aren't good in fun and attractive. MathPlayground.com is a site we can use to do this. You can explain to the students what they are learning while they are playing games and also explain why what they are learning is important for their future success. It is not advanced as Desmos.com but it is useful for students in lower grades who need to learn math but want to have fun while doing it. The tool does not really explain why certain things work so that would be left up to the teacher but it is a good homework assignment that allows students to think and have fun at the same time.

Animated picture of a teacher sitting at her desk with her computer in front of her and math problems on the chalk board
While all of these tools can be used as resources for students, none of them replace the teacher in the classroom. The teacher should be the one directing students to use these resources while explaining why they are useful for their growth and development. If the teacher is able to do this, they not only help the students learn math, they also ease the parents fears that their students are playing on the computer but not learning anything. There are many more math tools and tools for other subjects that can be found if you just search a little. The electronic tools are the best as we move toward an all electronic world. Teachers, please do what you will to create a learning environment that is fun and productive. Using some of the tools that I have identified above and others found through research will help increase student productivity in and out of the classroom. Hopefully, you can enjoy these tools.

5 comments:

  1. Great job Ramsey. I am a math teacher and love all of the resources you included in your blog post. Math resources like the ones you shared not only can be used in the classroom, but at home by students who need extra help, but do not have parents who can help them.

    If you get a chance this week, visit my blog post #7 Anastasia Martin EDM 510 Blog to participate in a quick online questionnaire that I created for our class.

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  2. Thank you Anastasia! Your comment means a lot seeing that you are a current Math Teacher. I will check out your blog and complete your questionnaire.

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  3. Hello Ramsey,
    What a great post! Math was never my strongest skill (and still isn't) growing up, so I would have really benefited from the applications you presented. I agree with Anastasia, that these resources would be perfect for students who need additional help (with or without supportive parents). I also agree with you that these are great tools; however, they should never take the place of the traditional classroom teacher (only be supplemental!). Thank you for sharing!

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  4. "Other math tools I have found or have been directed to by members of my PLN is Algebasics and GeoGebra." are, not is.

    Four new tools, at least for me. Three of them have been marked in Delicious as addsummer14.

    What a learning experience! Thanks.
    Thanks!

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  5. Dr. Strange

    Thank you for the grammar correction. I have made the change.

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