resource center – iLearn Technology

Mathway: Step-by-Step Math Problem Solver

January 27, 2009Kelly Tenkely3 Comments9222 views

What it is: Mathway is a website that I initially didn’t appreciate. The site is a step-by-step problem solver and my immediate reaction was: so we will be helping students cheat? But, the more I explored the site, the more I saw its value. The beauty of Mathway is that it is not just a site where students enter an equation and get an answer, the site shows the process of getting to that answer. It shows them the step-by-step process of obtaining the correct answer. Mathway has a step-by-step problem solver for basic math, pre-algebra, algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, and calculus. It also has a graph section and a math glossary.

How to integrate Mathway into the classroom: Mathway could be very valuable to students who have notebooks full of notes but get home to solve the problem and are still stumped. I like that it doesn’t just give students the final answer but leads them to the answer, showing them the process. This would also be very useful in a large class. If students are struggling with a problem, they can visit the math center (a computer with Mathway) instead of wasting time waiting for a teacher explanation.

Tips: Let parents know about , you will be saving them from the frustration of having to dig into the recesses of their mind to remember how to do some of this, and saving yourself from re-explaining the correct method after parents have guessed and taught students the wrong way.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Mathway in your classroom.

Math Glossary

October 9, 2008Kelly Tenkely1 Comment2843 views

What it is: I am on a little bit of a math resource kick. It happens from time to time when someone asks about a resource for a particular project they are working on. I get searching and find outstanding resources for whatever the subject is. This week I was on a math quest. Math Glossary is one of my great finds of the week. This glossary, created by Harcourt, will help students in grades kindergarten through sixth understand math vocabulary. The glossary is easily searched by grade and alphabetic order. The glossary doesn’t just define math vocabulary for students, it shows them what it looks like! Each word and definition can be read to students by clicking on the speaker icon next to the word.

How to integrate Math Glossary into the classroom: Math Glossary is the perfect place for students to learn and discover math vocabulary. The visual representation is especially perfect for your visual learners. Use the Math Glossary as a beginning place to introduce math concepts. Students can look up key vocabulary for the new math concept in the Math Glossary. Have them describe what they are seeing. Having a good base to build on makes all the difference! Keep the Math Glossary up on one of the classroom computers during math class as a math resource center. Students can use the Math Glossary as they need during math class.

Tips: Bookmark the Math Glossary on your class computers for easy access for students.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Math Glossary in your classroom.