Websites as Resources to Supplement the Textbook and Instruction S015

AMATYC 2011 Austin, TX Amber Rust, PhD

Presentation Focus

Become aware of the variety and amount of help that can be found through the internet. You are not the only math resource thank goodness! All students benefit from seeing information offered in multiple ways. Younger students are digital natives so take advantage of it! All websites shown here are free

Occasionally a membership is required for advanced features but I never found this necessary.

Why Use Websites?

Help students become independent learners. Offer other modalities for acquiring and understanding concepts and procedures. (More casual language, videos, interactive aspects) No need to learn a new technology just use an internet connection. Research shows that technology can have the greatest impact when integrated into the curriculum to achieve clear, measurable educational objectives (Cradler & Cradler, 2001)

Google (or other search engines)

Type in equations, expressions, etc. Ex: (2/3)x=14 Can even type in word problems, sometimes it works! (Be careful with order of operations) Type in concepts Ex: solving quadratics, simplifying linear expressions, solving complex fractions Can use chapter, section, or subsection titles Can also use vocabulary terms or concept names

Annenberg Group

http://www.learner.org There are videos on various topics in addition to mathematics including teacher education. Look for VOD (video on demand free). Running time 15 90 minutes. These are a bit dated but very good. Great substitute for a missed class or reinforce a topic.

CosmoLearning

www.cosmolearning.com Started in 2007 and has videos only. Also includes videos on topics such as veterinary medicine, military, beauty, culinary, dance, film, etc. (also offers documentaries) Website Mission: To centralize educational and cultural resources in a variety of formats, allowing anyone in the world to educate themselves and succeed in their lives.

Hippocampus

http://www.hippocampus.org Part of Open Education Resources. Offers multimedia lessons to help with homework. Has interactive tutorials with examples. Offers algebra and calculus tutorials in Spanish. Even offers indexes from several mathematics textbooks with page numbers to help find what you need.

HyperMath

http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.htmlHyperMath A concept map showing how topics are linked together. Click on a topic for further examples. HyperMath was developed at Georgia State University to support the mathematics needed to understand HyperPhysics.

Khan Academy

www.khanacademy.org All math videos are a computer-generated blackboard illustrating a concept/solution that are 10-20 minutes in length. Claims to be the most exhaustive collection of videos to help people fill in the gaps in their knowledge. Khan started in 2004 by remotely tutoring his 7thgrade cousin and it has grown. Also available in Spanish and currently being translated into 16 other languages. Has the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere.

KidInfo

http://www.kidinfo.com Great listing of hundreds of websites (Tutorials, Powerpoints for Learning, Online Videos for Learning, etc.). Videos are nice and short, very focused. Offers great powerpoints

Check out Algebasics

List hundreds of useful links.

MathForum

http://mathforum.org Started in 1994 with "Ask Prof. Maths, (now called Ask Dr. Math) where K-12 students could send in math questions and get personal answers. Mathforum now offers so much more than just Ask Dr. Math. Mission is to provide resources, materials, activities, person-to-person interactions, and educational products and services that enrich and support teaching and learning in an increasingly technological world.

MathTV

http://www.mathtv.com Started in 2008. Math videos covering Basic Mathematics, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus The videos are short and focus on the solution of one mathematics problem. Some videos are in Spanish. You do not need to register or login to view the videos.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html Started in 1999 at Utah State University, supported by NSF. Aims to actively engage the student in the study of mathematics by offering good computer-based mathematical manipulatives and interactive learning tools. Visually, these virtual manipulatives are very appealing.

Purplemath

http://www.purplemath.com Only topic offered is algebra with trigonometry coming soon. Lessons are written with the student in mind. Lessons emphasize the practicalities rather than the technicalities, demonstrating dependable techniques, warning of likely "trick" questions, and pointing out common mistakes. The lessons are cross-referenced to help find related material, and a "search" box is on every page.

Shodor

http://www.shodor.org/interactivate A national resource for computational science education which seeks to improve math and science education through interactive explorations Offers Activities, Dictionary, and Tools Click on Students, then click on Online Activities and then click on Interactive OR click on Activities & Lessons and then on Interactive. Great short interactive animations. Offers a section for deaf students with ASL signing.

S.O.S. Mathematics

http://www.sosmath.com Short, easy to understand explanations. Gives a easy-to-follow, detailed explanation of each solution step. Each solution is given algebraically, graphically, and often in a third method.

List of steps required to solve each problem are given at the beginning of each solution.

Virtual Math Lab

http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps /math/mathlab Hosted at West Texas A&M University. Created as a service to anyone who needs help in algebra. Provides an excellent explanation of concept and then details solutions for problems. Points student back to previous tutorials for review. Some detailed solutions have a video.

WebGraphing

http://webgraphing.com/index.jsp

Click on Graphing at the top of the screen.

Started in 2003. Delivers step-by-step solutions to challenging mathematics problems. Focuses on graphing equations with all the features. Will soon have mathematics topics other than basic mathematics and algebra.

Wolfram MathWorld

http://mathworld.wolfram.com Started in 1995 and is updated daily. Mathematica supports this website. Language and content is a bit advanced. Has an interactive component. Well-known website.

YouTube EDU

http://www.youtube.com/education Click on Mathematics, then on a specific topic Can type in solve quadratics or inequalities Once select a video to view, also look at the list of additional related videos on the right-hand side of webpage Best used with concepts (not best for specific homework equations or expressions) Can use chapter, section, or subsection titles to find relevant videos.

Suggestions

In class, briefly explore the websites with the students so they are familiar. They will know what a website will look like. They will know what to expect from a website. Be specific about what students are to look at and/or do on a website. OR list as additional resources they can use when they want to with no specific objective. Post the link(s), if possible. For you explore the links on each websites to find more!

Thanks for attending this presentation!

Amber Rust, PhD aahrust@gmail.com Please email me websites that you like If you would like this full powerpoint please email.