Mathematics Using an iPad

An iPad is a really unique device that has so many different applications. It is basically a handheld computer however it is a touchscreen. It includes the many basic features of a computer such as internet, email, and some versions of the office software that can be used to type papers, create presentations, and use a spreadsheet. The major difference between a computer and the iPad is that the software programs used on the iPad are actually called Apps, which stands for Applications. These can be easily accessible through the App Store that comes loaded on the iPad. There is literally an app for anything you can imagine.

• Below there is a video to show the basics of using an iPad

Drill and Practice:

Drill and practice software can serve many different purposes in an educational setting.  A few of the characteristics of a drill and practice software include questions for the student to answer, activities for the student to do, and tasks for the student to finish.  Also, drill and practice software should give feedback about correctness to the user.  Some of these software programs even give explanations for incorrect answers.  Drill and practice software is a very beneficial tool because it allows the students to practice on their own and it provides feedback for the students which saves teachers time. 

The iPad has several different Apps that could be used for drill and practice in a secondary mathematics classroom.  One example of a drill and practice App for the iPad is called “MathSpace”.  Mathspace is an App which has over 10,000 interactive questions which cover an array of mathematics subjects such as basic operations, algebra, geometry, graphing, probability, statistics, and more.  There are hundreds of exercises for each particular subject within each of these mathematics fields.  This App includes simple exercises and “worksheets” for skills practice and also has interactive simulations.  Students receive immediate feedback about correctness of answers and the App has a full solution for every single problem so the students can see where they went wrong or see other ways to approach problems.  An interest feature of the App on the iPad is that it has “math writing recognition” so that the student can actually write their work out.  After the student writes their work on the iPad using a stylus (iPad pen), the software can recognize the symbols and writing and will grade their work on the spot. 

This App is used as a learning tool for students because it allows the students to practice what they have already learned, know immediately if they did the problems correctly, read through solutions of missed problems, and learn about different mathematics subjects if they want to.  It is not considered a teaching tool necessarily, although it is also beneficial to teachers because it saves time due to the automatic grading.  A really great example of how this App could be used by students in a real classroom is that they could use it for homework.  Teachers could assign the students exercises to do on Mathspace instead of assigning book problems or a worksheet.  This way, the students are provided with immediate feedback which may also save the teacher time since they may not have to go over the homework as much in class the next day.  Currently, the App only has student log-ins, but soon there will be teacher log-ins as well so that the teacher can check all of the students’ work on their own single account without having to log in to all of the separate accounts to check.  Still, this would be faster than grading every single homework assignment.  Overall, this App is a great way to check for individual student understanding of mathematics topics taught at the secondary level.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathspace/id586612052?mt=8

https://edshelf.com/tool/mathspace

Tutorial:

Tutorial software is similar to learning from a teacher’s instruction in the classroom.  As Roblyer and Doering point out in Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, tutorial software should be interactive, allow students to control the rate of learning, appropriate pedagogy, feedback capabilities, graphics, and recordkeeping.  Many tutorials have drill and practice skills within the tutorial.  A major benefit of tutorials is that it allows the students to pace themselves at the speed that is comfortable for them.  If a student does not understand a concept, then they can review, or even repeat, the concept until he/she understands.  Thus, tutorials are more advantageous if assigned on an individual basis.  Tutorials are great when the teacher is unavailable because there are no other materials needed for the students to learn the concepts.

One free app that would be great for students to use is Khan Academy.  This app includes tutorials for all content areas, as well as all grade levels.  With this app, students are able to watch over 4,200 videos on any topic they wish.  Students can create an account on Khan Academy so they can track their progress with every video and activity they complete.  By creating an account for each student, the teacher is also able to monitor their progress on an individual basis.  This tutorial tool is great for adaptation for many different learners.  Students that are gifted will be able to work at a faster pace, and challenge themselves with subject material that may not be presented in the classroom.  Students in special education or ELLs will be able to work at the pace that is best for their learning environment.  Khan Academy is also great for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/khan-academy/id469863705?mt=8

Simulation:

Simulations are an instructional component that include real work examples of the content they are learning, and allow the students to be able to change variables in order to make the simulations fit to what they are doing.  One really cool app that I found that can be used for a physics course is called iDynamic. The main simulations this apps allows you to do for free are Mass-Spring, Gears, Temperature, Pendulum, Level, and RLC Circuit. The reason why this App would be beneficial for a physics class is because it includes simulations that allow the students to change inputs and the program graphs the inputs and outputs so the students can see the graphical relationship when they change variables. It also shows images of what is actually occurring in the simulations when variables are change, and these visual examples will help the students understand the concepts more. They also have an option that is called Theory, and when you select this and click on one of the simulations it walks through all of the mathematics that go into that simulations and where it comes from. This will allow the students to really see the connections between the simulations and mathematics.

The way this could be used in a classroom is having the students working in groups to explain what happens when different variable are changed in the simulations and why that change is taking place. This can include the pictures, graphs, or anything other part of the program they want. Also, students can then go to the Theory part and try to explain why the mathematics goes with the physics simulation step by step, if the students are to that level of mathematics yet. Another huge benefit of this App is that it is FREE! This allows for easier use in a classroom because the students will not have to pay additional money for the App. I downloaded this App onto my own iPad and it is actually really fun to mess around with. I think this would be enjoyable for students who are really into physics, and how the mathematics connects to it.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idynamic/id496739359?mt=8

Instructional Game:

Learning games are a great way to improve a student’s understanding of a topic. Math games are great learning tools that students can use to practice their math skills. When including games in their curriculum, teachers should make sure that the games are focused on the proper content and the games shouldn’t be overused. Candy Factory is an example of an educational game that can be played on the iPad. Candy Factory is a free app with a game that teaches kids how to use fractions. Fractions are taught in middle school but students struggle with fractions in high school as well. Playing this game will give students a better understanding of fractions and allows plenty of opportunities to practice. This game is engaging but also very focused on the content. Students can work in a factory producing candy bars. They must use fractions to determine how much costumers need based on their order. They are given a score at the end of the game; as they play they can try to improve their score. There are three different levels so teachers can allow students to work at their own pace. This app is a fun way for students in middle school or high school to practice fractions. Teachers could use this game in their classroom at the end of a lesson on fractions. After each lesson the students can play a different level or review the previous level if they need to.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/candyfactory-educational-game/id446248045?mt=8

Problem Solving:

Problem solving is a skill that every student should develop. Problem-solving software is a tool that can help students foster these skills. Unlike instructional games and simulations this software is designed specifically to teach students approaches to problem solving. This type of software can focus solely on students learning how to problem solve or it can use content focused problems for student practice with problem solving. Problem-solving software is very applicable to mathematics because students must use problem-solving skills to solve any math problem they come across.

The iPad has many apps that can be used for problem-solving practice. One example is Algebra Touch. This application allows the user to solve algebra problems using touch capabilities. The user simply has to tap an operation or drag items to rearrange and the app will complete the calculations for them. Students can experiment with conceptual aspects of algebra without getting bogged down with the computations that go along with it. It helps them break down the problem into steps and allows them to focus on how to solve the problem rather than calculations. There are so many applications like this one for mathematics and they create a fun way to practice mathematical knowledge as well as problem solving skills.

A second example of an application that utilizes problem solving is Crazy Machines. This game started out on the computer but is now available on the iPad. It is a puzzle game where users are given tasks from the “whacky professor” and they must create machines that complete the tasks. The users choose from more than 70 parts to build their creation that solves the puzzle. Students can experiment with the puzzles and find the best solution to the problem. Each puzzle can be solved in a unique way and the users must use problem-solving skills to do it. This application is a great way to get students to apply their problem solving skills in a fun way. There are many other applications that focus solely on problem solving. Many of these applications are very simplistic and would be best used with elementary students as a base for their problem solving skills.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/algebra-touch/id384354262?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crazy-machines/id311169460?mt=8

Other sources:

http://www.schrockguide.net/

The link above is to Kathy Schrock's webpage. She is an educational technologist, and she created this website to allow others to have access to the many different uses of the iPad and many other technologies in the classroom. This is a place for teacher to learn how to use an iPad in the classroom as well as find Apps, and other elements they can actually use in their classrooms.  

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-all-content-areas-andrew-marcinek

This site includes descriptions of and links to five different iPad apps that can be used in any content area. The list includes apps that students can use for note taking or presentations. There are also apps for teachers and students to use to share information as a class. This site allows teachers to learn more about apps that are applicable to all content areas and explains ways they can be used.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/educreations-interactive-whiteboard/id478617061?mt=8

The link above shows an iPad App which is usable for any content area.  The App is basically an interactive whiteboard that records drawing and work so that teachers can give students mini or complete lessons to take home with them and students can show their work one step at a time to their teachers without having to do it in front of them.  

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/algebra-touch/id384354262?mt=8

The link above is for an iPad App that will help any student practice algebra skills.  This app is interactive and allows students to practice simplifying, combining like terms, eliminate identical terms, and so much more.  Students can practice on specific skills, or answer questions at random.  Students can also create their own problems and work in pairs to solve each other's problems.  

http://www.ipadineducation.ianwilson.biz/iPad_in_Education/Welcome.html

This website was created to address the effectiveness of using the iPad for teaching and learning as well as to provide resources and ideas for educators. There is a section that explains some important reasons to use an iPad for learning. It also has a page for every content area with potential applications and uses of the iPad. There is also a section about applications specifically designed for teachers. It also presents information about how to use the iPad for special education. 

Bibliography:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMht9_F3580