Do you use technology in your classroom? There are many programs that are helpful in reaching and teaching kids. Let’s look at how to effectively use technology to teach math for understanding.
Desmos
There are many math tools you can use in Desmos, including the graphing calculator, scientific calculator, four function calculator, test practice, matrix calculator, and the geometry tool. While TI calculators are still useful when working in higher math classes like Trig or Calculus, Desmos is an online graphic calculator that can do everything the $100+ TI calculators can do and more. BONUS it’s free!
If you are teaching in a 1-to-1 device classroom, the Desmos team has done an exceptional job in bringing math education into the 21st century. Desmos has created an activity builder that teachers can use to build interactive lessons that students can do on their own tablet or Chromebook devices while the teacher monitors student work in real time. What’s more, they have curated a comprehensive library of lessons that are free for teachers to use! Check out teacher.desmos.com to create your own activities or use some of the featured lessons already there.
Geogebra
Geogebra is very similar to Desmos in that it harnesses the computing power of classroom devices (tablets or Chromebooks) to do things. Geogebra is a program that you can run in a web browser or a standalone app that can you can use to demonstrate math concepts in graphical representations.
There’s a library of 400k+ lessons that you can search from and so you shouldn’t have much of a problem finding a lesson to choose from. There are a lot of great examples in the Geogebra library that you can project in front of your class to demonstrate even if you’re not a 1-1 classroom.
The Math Learning Center
These 14 free apps are based on the visual models featured in Bridges in Mathematics. Apps are available in multiple versions: a web app for all modern browsers, and downloadable versions for specific operating systems and devices (such as Apple iOS for iPad). You can access these free apps on https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/apps. The Math Learning Center, for example, provides several manipulative options, such as rekenreks, geoboards, number lines, and number frames. Apps and websites that provide these types of virtual tools are easy to use, support students with conceptual understanding, and increase student access to math tools. You can use these apps to review number sense, vocabulary, fractions, and more. Check out all the apps you can use in your classroom too.
Explain Everything
Content-neutral technology includes tools such as virtual whiteboards, handheld clickers, and student collaboration apps. Virtual whiteboard and websites, such as Explain Everything, promote self reflection, enable students to make their learning visible and share and connect ideas, and have been linked with high level thinking and questioning. Check out https://explaineverything.com/ to see everything you can use.
Kahoot!
Kahoot will easily be the most popular learning tool you use with your students. Why? Well, because Kahoot is a powerful educational tool (backed by research) and is a VERY addicting game format that you can play as an entire class.
The basic premise behind Kahoot is fairly simple. Teachers create a series of multiple choice questions that are projected on the screen while the students answer those questions on their own devices. The game element comes into play because after every question, the top ranking participants are displayed before moving onto the next question which really ramps up the competitive spirit in almost every classroom I have seen use Kahoot.
One of the really great things about Kahoot is that it is extremely easy to set up and students do not need to create an account to participate. All they have to do is navigate to the Kahoot website, input the code for the quiz that the teacher provides, and they’re off to play.
There’s a lot of positive reviews with more than 50% of US teachers use Kahoot! Also with players in more than 200 countries and regions plus there are over 50 million public games available. There’s a lot to like about Kahoot!
Being Critical
The educational technology market is flooded with new apps, tech tools, and gadgets, and in some instances, teachers are commended for increased technology use whether it supports healthy math learning or not. Technology can have a truly positive impact on student learning, but it should not replace teaching or ignore research-based best practices for math instruction. Technology is a supplement. It does not take away from research-based best practices, but rather it enhances and adds support for math instruction.
GRAB YOUR TOP 10 LIST
Grab your copy of the 10 Best Math Manipulatives list is the perfect for planning guide your for building your classroom library of math tools that work for all students. The list is already done for you with examples of how you can use them in your own room. By using these classroom manipulatives in a meaningful way, you can increase learning in your classroom for all students.
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