Posted by David Wetzel
iPod Touch Math Apps
Math applications (apps) for iPod Touch offer teachers an excellent way to help focus students in math classes.
Although many Math Apps are loaded with ads and other distracting information, I have found several that are ad free.
Math iPod Touch Apps
Math Tutor Lite - (free) offers a better and fun way for students to learn their math skills. Starts with simple math operations and progresses through math operations that are challenging.
ePuzzle - (free) is a classic handheld number problem solving game where the objective is to place the number blocks in the numerical order by sliding them around the game board. Features include:
- Three different levels of games.
- Maintains scores for the best timings and the number of moves.
- Supports different colors scheme for the game board.
ArithmeTick - Math Flashcards - (free) the objective is to solve as many problems as possible before time runs out. Students are awarded up to 10 points and additional time for each correct answer. Offers four difficulty levels and is perfect for math review.
Graphing Calculator - ($0.99) this app an iPod touch into an intuitive high-resolution function plotter and scientific calculator. Features include the following:
- Includes a powerful, yet easy to use scientific calculator.
- Quickly plot and trace multiple equations on the same graph.
- Custom keyboard to speed up entering in equations.
- Pinch to zoom and drag/slide for scrolling the graph in real time.
- The graph view supports portrait and landscape modes.
- Take screen shots, and e-mail graphs to yourself.
- Evaluate your graphs at any x value using the calculator screen.
- Find the exact (x,y) coordinates for roots and intersections using the trace mode.
- Supports graphing polar and parametric equations.
- Currently supports the following functions: log, log2, log10, ln, exp, sin, cos, tan, asin, acos, atan, sinh, cosh, tanh, degrees to radians, radians to degrees, absolute value, square root, ceiling, floor and mod.
iFormulas - (free) a clean, simple, easy to use mathematical formula application. Provides basics to survive your Algebra, Calculus, Geometry or Trigonometry class.
It does not give answers, but provides an easy navigational guide. Over 330 different formulas, definitions, laws, properties, etc.
Pi Cubed Lite - (free) a visual math application designed from the ground up for a touch-based interface. Unlike traditional calculators, Pi Cubed lets students construct mathematical expressions, using an interactive menu system, which are then typeset and evaluated instantly.
The use of the entire screen, combined with the capability to lay out equations as they would be written on a piece of paper, makes even complex calculations easy to follow.
Common touch gestures, like pinch-zooming and touch-based panning, enhance the entry and editing process.
A diverse range of mathematical operations are supported, including logarithms, trigonometric functions, arbitrary roots, exponents, and factorials.
Number Line - (free) helps students learn about fractions, decimals, and percents by ordering equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents on a number line.
The app features multiple levels where the player must drag circles with either a percent, decimal or fraction onto a number line in the correct sequence.
Fraction Factory - (free) students use their math skills to place fractions into their correct positions on a number line.
Fraction Factory is designed to enhance the student’s ability to find and order equivalent fractions and decimals on a number line. In addition, Fraction Factory targets fraction computation.
Freddy Fraction - (free) is an alien who needs student help! He was exploring a strange, foreign planet when he realized he couldn’t remember where he parked his spaceship…Freddy is lost! Help Freddy find his way back home safely using fractions, decimals, and percentages to lead him back to his spaceship!
Basic Math - (free) uses a drill-and-practice instructional strategy. Similar to memorization, such a strategy presents the tasks to be completed repetitively to build up the foundation skills for more meaningful learning in the future. The app is designed for students in grades 3 - 6.
Exercises cover basic mathematical skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Resource
All are available on iTunes and look forward to others sharing math apps they find useful in the classroom.
Related Information
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Posted by David Wetzel
Project Based Learning Activity
In project-based learning, preparation and planning are the most critical factors for success.
The critical aspect of this formula for success is developing a clear understanding of what students are to achieve when they work on a project.
This is essential so that students can:
- develop a suitable plan to achieve a goal.
- identify milestones needed to complete the work.
- look at solutions that are suitable for the purpose and audience.
- consider the feasibility or practicality of these solutions.
- based on feasibility, select the solution.
- consider and develop a suitable design.
- identify the information components critical to success.
Chemistry Project-Based Learning Activity
Through this project, students connect the concept of chemistry and its impact on their everyday lives.
Questions that guide students include:
- Are we a product of chemistry?
- How has chemistry shaped and changed our society?
The Project
Working in groups, students choose a specific product made today. Specifically, students:
- research the origin of the a chemical-based product and the person or persons who invented and when it was first used.
- learn about the chemistry underlying the product they selected and study its impact on our culture.
- use multimedia tools in the planning, researching, and presentation phases of the project.
Procedures
Students will:
- research their product using online and written resources.
- conduct a survey or interview experts regarding the societal impact of their selected product.
- create a concept map using Freemind or Bubbl.us outlining their research concerning their research process.
Students create:
- a research report that compares and contrasts their product in relation to its impact on society.
- a poster use Glogster to share their findings.
- a video using Animoto regarding their research, which is embedded in their Glogster poster.
Students will:
- create a Slideshare presentation of recommendations for alternative solutions for creating the product using environmentally friendly (green) chemicals to decrease the impact on society.
This is an example of a scaffolding project in which students apply chemistry concepts to real-world products and the impact of these chemical processes on society.
The final step is when students use what they learned and apply their new knowledge to predict what would happen if the chemical processes were altered.
You may also be interested in following related posts….
Investigating the Nature of Science
Writing in Science: Creating Nature Journals
Investigating Starches and Fats
Posted by David Wetzel
Geometric Problem Solving
Problem solving in mathematics is critical to understanding geometric concepts and also making connections with other mathematics concepts.
The following activities cause students to use critical thinking and problem solving skills - often referred to as inquiry-based teaching and learning.
Inquiry Math Activity
Materials – 27 one inch snap cubes for each student
Procedures – Part 1
Give each student 27 snap cubes
Ask them to determine how many different ways can they can join three cubes face-to-face? (These are called “tri-cubes”)
Tell them that if a tri-cube can be flipped or repositioned (reflected, rotated) in such a way that it is exactly like a tri-cube already made, it is not different from the other one.
Notes
There are only two different tri-cubes – rectangular and non-rectangular.
Have students retain the non-rectangular tri-cube.
Procedures – Part 2
Ask students to find all possible non-rectangular tetra-cubes (4 unit cubes joined face-to-face).
Note
There are only six different tetra cubes – see picture (the picture also contains the one non-rectangular tri-cube).
Tetra-Cubes
Discussion
Ask the following questions:
Are any of the pieces reflections of each other? (If you put a mirror next to one piece, will you see the other in the mirror?)
Which pieces can be placed so that they are only one unit high?
Which pieces must occupy space that is 2 units high?
Which pieces have a line of symmetry on a given face?
Procedures – Part 3
Ask students to find the surface area and volume of each of the six tetra-cubes and the non-rectangular tri-cube – recording their data in a data table.
Discussion
Ask the following questions:
Did the pieces with the same volume have the same surface area?
Did the pieces with the same surface area have the same volume?
Procedures – Part 4
Ask to make a SOMA Cube by connecting their non-rectangular tri-cube and 6 tetra-cubes into a 3 by 3 cube without altering the shape of the tri-cube or tetra-cubes.
Ask students to record and share how they created a SOMA Cube with the class.
Note
There are 214 different ways.
Extension
Ask students to create other shapes using the non-rectangular tri-cube and 6 tetra-cubes without altering the shape of the tri-cube or tetra-cubes. (See picture for examples)
Soma Cube Shapes
You may also be interested in the following….
Problem Solving in Math is Personal
Project Based Learning Math Activities
Pythagorean Theorem - Real World Application
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