10 tech tools to teach math in the classroom
While there are students who like math and can solve equations for hours, there are also many people who don’t like math and feel it boring. The problem is in the approach of teaching mathematics as often times many students learn differently and therefore require a different teaching approach.
Thankfully, teachers are now able to utilize technology as another means to help improve their teaching methods and make math easier and more interesting for students. These tech tools can help to visualize the knowledge, display formulas in simpler ways, and can even work with and help children learn if they are not in the classroom. Here are 10 tech tools to help spark the interest of students and encourage them like and excel in mathematics.
Stepping Stones 2.0
Stepping Stones lets you work with both print and digital resources, and by using this tool when teaching K-6 math, teachers can become more flexible. Except for the main resources set, this platform also contains additional practice, visualizations, strategies, and support for math teachers.
Another really nice thing about Stepping Stones is that when using it, teachers can broadcast different lessons onto the whiteboard. The program is also simple to use making it ideal for teachers with all skillsets.
Globatoria
Young students like games so teachers often use them to make studying more interesting. The merging of gaming and studying, lets students have fun and learn something new. By using Globaloria, children can create games for testing STEM subjects.
This platform contains a big gallery of games, where everyone can find something interesting for them. Using this app can promote math and other subjects through playing fun games and speaking with other people.
Geometry Pad
Geometry Pad is used as virtual graph paper. On the virtual surface, students are able to draw different shapes and add charts. They can easily edit created shapes, their properties and sizes, and save the results of their work.
Not only is it more eco-friendly (think of all the trees you’re saving!), but it is easier than drawing shapes and charts on paper, especially for students who have grown up with technology. Plus when you make a mistake on paper, it can require a lot of time to draw it again, however, if you make a mistake when drawing in the app, you can easily cancel your actions and pick right back up where you left off.
Pattern Shapes
Pattern Shapes is a tool that also helps students work with geometrical shapes, by using it, you are able to draw different shapes, fractions, and other elements of any size and height. There are also virtual tools like a ruler or protractor for measuring different elements of your drawing. Additionally, all shapes have editable properties that students can play with.
Students of elementary and middle school like this app because they feel like they are being creative.
MathPlayground
MathPlayground is a gallery of games relating to mathematics, including math games, logic games, and more. The collection contains a lot of fun games for younger children as well. When playing these games, students are actually studying the law of mathematics and working to solve different mathematical problems. This way is usually more practical than and doesn’t seem as rigid as traditional lessons.
The Mathplayground offers various types of games and courses for different grade levels and topics, including multiplication, division, fractions, and even coding.
FluidMath
The FluidMath platform is developed for iPads and can also be used on interactive whiteboards. It lets you write and draw directly on the whiteboard, which is nice as many teachers and students still like writing things by hand sometimes (especially when doing math).
The app can recognize handwritten expressions and can compute them quickly. You can use it to write equations and add annotations to them, organize elements however you like, and learn math in a collaborative process.
GetTheMath
When learning algebra, many students don’t understand its connection with practical daily tasks. This is the reason why they find it boring and don’t want to learn it. If these students could actually see how many things in our world are based on formulas and other mathematical concepts, they would likely pay attention and spend more time learning it.
GetTheMath lets students know how math is used in practice. By reading topics that explain how mathematics is applied in music, movies, and other fields, children find it more and more interesting. They see how math can help them in “real life” and in solving difficult tasks.
Dragon Box
This platform has already proven that it helps students learn hard concepts quickly. When it comes to algebra, students usually don’t have a big interest in it for various reasons, including not understanding the main points of this field.
Dragon Box provides the set of interactive games, which when playing them, students will learn the main concepts of algebra and how its formulas work. There are also simple explanations that help students get the basic algebra knowledge and learn the most difficult parts of it. According to some experts, they have seen students who use Dragon Box learn the fundamentals of algebra within an hour.
Academy of Math
This app is designed to help explain math concepts to students who are having a difficult time following along. It offers additional and in some cases simpler explanations behind the concepts being taught. The Academy of Math app contains videos in addition to text and formulas. Videos can be much more helpful to students who are more visual learners.
Studygeek
To learn math, you need to know the meaning of its terms. Just like when learning a language, if you see a word that you don’t recognize, you need to find out the meaning of the word in order to best use it. In mathematics, the same concept applies to formulas and equations. Studygeek can help you to understand what you are reading about and remember the meaning of each word whenever you see it.
The app contains the alphabetical glossary of math terms. You can look for any term from a mathematics course and find the explanation for it. What’s even better is that the app not only includes text but also videos that help you study easier. It even lets students play games when they are learning math concepts.
You can also find other tools and sites like brainybro.com helpful in teaching and studying. When incorporating tech tools like these, teachers can be more involved with students in lessons and therefore help students truly learn more.