These links are from the September, 2005 issue of The Oregon Mathematics Teacher. For internet links from previous issues, see the Bookmark Archives.
You can contact Sonya at richarso@onid.orst.edu.
As I write this, I have just returned from the June NECC Conference in Philadelphia. I was delighted to see interactive touch screens, both as a tool in use by a session presenter and as a demonstration by the developers. They empower the user to share video clips, drawings, Power Point presentations, sound bites, and other demonstrations in the classroom or a remote location, all instantly with just the touch of the pen. I teach algebra online, and the touch screen would free me from the confines of the Equation Editor. It is truly an amazing tool.
Numonics Whiteboards: Numonics’ interactive whiteboards are easy-to-use, functionally dynamic products that help to engage students’ interest and increase understanding and participation. The Interactive Presentation Manager™ (IPM) is the advanced interactive whiteboard. By touching the board surface with an electronic pen, the presenter controls the computer environment in real time. All program functions are transferred to the pen enabling the presenter to stay in front of the audience without touching the computer. Note taking software automatically saves written notations or illustrations for distribution during or after the session.
http://www.interactivewhiteboards.com/classroom.html
Math Cats: Wendi Petti has developed this truly wonderful site for exploratory problems in mathematics, most of them for elementary children. There are applets for exploring numerous concepts such as "What a Crowd!" (Estimation), Multiplication Grid, Math Cats Balance (with items ranging from electrons to galaxies), Old Egyptian Math Cats Fractions, Tessellation Town, and much more. Her Math Jewels contain an extensive list of wonderful sites for math explorations.
Quest: Connecting classrooms with NASA people! Engage your students with research and science through mission-based challenges and explorations supported by NASA scientists, live and interactive Webcasts, chats, forums and online publishing of student work. Also research NASA career role models.
IMMEX: This system, developed at UCLA, provides a web-based structure that provides students with educational problem sets that require problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, teams of teachers, students, business partners and higher education faculty construct interactive, problem-solving simulations in summer institutes. These problem cases challenge students to investigate a problem and resources to develop, test, and refine hypothesis to arrive at complex solutions are provided. Problems include math, chemistry, algebra physics and other science based investigations.
Squeakland: A free multimedia authoring tool that empowers students and teachers to create their own animations, games, and other projects while exploring math in open-ended, meaningful ways. Its main purpose was to provide a playful and empowering arena for kids to learn important ideas. Included are examples being used in schools now. See http://www.squeakland.org/school/drive_a_car/html/Drivecar12.html for a great illustrated narration of how a first "car" project might develop.
Astro.Temple: This demo provides a toolbox of visual aids for geometrically oriented word problems. These visual tools are designed to help students develop equations from word problems. They are for Algebra, Precalculus, or Calculus courses in high school or college.
http://astro.temple.edu/~dhill001/wordproblemeqn/wordproblemeqn.html
Edbydesign: This is an Australian website dedicated to helping kids of all abilities learn. Fun online math games feature mathematics, problem solving, puzzles and more in a combination of Java applets and flash learning activities. These are all original and designed by a primary school teacher. The web site includes Kids Activities, (interactive, educational activities for children 5 – 12), Play Scrambler, puzzles, practice mathematical skills, and publish your stories, jokes, riddles, and poems online. A Special Needs Resource is included with inspirational ideas and information for teachers, therapists and parents to encourage children with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential.
http://www.edbydesign.com/maths/index.html
http://www.edbydesign.com/kidsact.html
