Welcome to an exploration of innovative tools designed to enhance mathematics education for secondary students. My name is Jason Jackson, and I serve as the West Virginia Education Manager for Common Sense Education. As a Graphite Certified Educator, I am excited to introduce you to three exceptional applications that foster 21st-century skills in mathematics: Get the Math, Mathalicious, and Qthink. These tools have received high ratings on Graphite, and our evaluations are independent of any developer support.
Get the Math is a dynamic resource tailored for students in grades 7 through 10. It integrates algebra with critical thinking, demonstrating the practical application of math in various careers. The platform offers engaging challenges that highlight the relevance of math in real-world contexts.
On the homepage, you’ll find a variety of challenges designed to cater to different learning styles. The platform supports differentiated instruction, featuring videos where professionals, such as Jeremy from the special effects industry, discuss the role of math in their careers. As students tackle these challenges, they collaborate, analyze data, and receive hints to aid their problem-solving journey.
Get the Math also includes multimedia presentations, making it an excellent extension of the curriculum. For instance, students can delve into fashion design challenges, exploring pricing strategies while applying their math skills.
Mathalicious is an engaging tool suitable for students in grades 6 through 12. It offers a free trial for one month and emphasizes standards-based learning by encouraging students to apply math skills in real-world scenarios.
One compelling lesson examines how income levels affect individuals’ ability to pay fines, such as parking tickets. Students analyze the potential cycle of debt for those with lower incomes, using interactive graphics to explore various problem-solving methods. This approach not only enhances mathematical understanding but also fosters critical thinking about societal issues.
Qthink is an iOS-based application designed for students in grades 4 through 12. It promotes a social approach to learning mathematics, allowing teachers to assign problems that students solve collaboratively. The platform enables students to create screencasts of their problem-solving processes, thereby enhancing their communication and critical thinking skills.
Through Qthink, students engage in a community of learners, sharing insights and strategies, which enriches their educational experience and prepares them for collaborative work environments.
Get the Math, Mathalicious, and Qthink are powerful tools that support the development of 21st-century skills in mathematics. For more detailed reviews and ratings of these resources, visit Graphite, where you can explore a wide range of educational tools.
Thank you for your interest in advancing mathematics education. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Engage with the Get the Math platform by selecting a challenge that aligns with your interests, such as fashion design or special effects. Work through the problem, utilizing the hints and multimedia resources provided. Reflect on how algebra is applied in these careers and discuss your findings with peers to enhance your understanding of math’s real-world applications.
Choose a Mathalicious lesson that explores a societal issue, such as the impact of income on paying fines. Use the interactive graphics to analyze the data and discuss the implications with your classmates. Consider how mathematical reasoning can provide insights into social justice and economic challenges.
Utilize Qthink to solve a math problem collaboratively with your peers. Record a screencast of your problem-solving process, highlighting key strategies and solutions. Share your screencast with the class and provide feedback on others’ approaches to foster a collaborative learning environment.
Design a project that incorporates one of the tools—Get the Math, Mathalicious, or Qthink. Identify a real-world problem or scenario, and apply mathematical concepts to propose a solution. Present your project to the class, demonstrating how the tool helped you in your analysis and problem-solving process.
Write a reflective essay on how using these math tools has enhanced your 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Discuss specific examples from your experiences with Get the Math, Mathalicious, or Qthink, and how these skills are applicable in future academic and professional settings.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, with unnecessary filler words, informal language, and any potentially sensitive content removed for clarity and professionalism:
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My name is Jason Jackson, and I’m the West Virginia Education Manager for Common Sense Education. I’m also a Graphite Certified Educator. Today, I’m going to walk you through some effective tools for secondary education that help build 21st-century skills in mathematics. The three applications I will discuss today are Get the Math, Mathalicious, and Qthink. These applications were rated highly on Graphite, and we did not receive any support from the developers.
Let’s get started.
The first tool is Get the Math, which is an excellent website for students in grades 7 through 10. It teaches math through algebra and critical thinking, demonstrating the use of math in various careers. The resource provides challenges that engage students while showing the relevance of math in real-world scenarios.
The opening page of Get the Math features various challenges. Since not everyone learns the same way, I will discuss how to use this platform for differentiated instruction. One of the features includes videos where professionals, like Jeremy, discuss the importance of math in their careers, such as special effects. As students work through challenges, they collaborate and use data to solve problems, receiving hints and support as needed.
Get the Math also includes various multimedia presentations to cater to different learning styles. It can serve as an extension of the curriculum, with challenges related to real-world scenarios, such as fashion design. Students can explore pricing strategies while applying their math skills.
The second tool is Mathalicious, which is suitable for grades 6 through 12. It focuses on real-world scenarios and is free to try for one month. Mathalicious supports standards-based learning by encouraging students to apply math skills in practical situations.
One example is a lesson that examines the impact of income levels on individuals’ ability to pay fines, such as parking tickets. Students analyze how these fines can create a cycle of debt for those with lower incomes. The platform includes interactive graphics and encourages students to explore various methods of problem-solving.
The last tool is Qthink, which is iOS-based and designed for grades 4 through 12. It promotes a social approach to learning mathematics. Teachers can assign problems, and students work through them collaboratively. Qthink allows students to create screencasts of their problem-solving processes, enhancing their communication and critical thinking skills.
All three tools—Get the Math, Mathalicious, and Qthink—support the development of 21st-century skills in mathematics. You can find more information about these resources on Graphite, which offers in-depth reviews and ratings for various educational tools.
Thank you for your time. If you have any questions, you can email us at [email protected].
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This version maintains the core information while ensuring clarity and professionalism.
Mathematics – The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics). – Mathematics is essential for developing critical thinking skills and solving complex problems in various fields.
Critical – Involving skillful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.; involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. – A critical approach to problem-solving in mathematics can lead to more effective and innovative solutions.
Thinking – The process of considering or reasoning about something; the action of using one’s mind to produce thoughts, decisions, memories, etc. – Thinking logically and systematically is crucial when tackling complex mathematical equations.
Algebra – A branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols, representing numbers and relationships. – Mastering algebra is fundamental for students pursuing careers in engineering and technology.
Skills – The ability to do something well; expertise, particularly in a specific area such as mathematics or critical thinking. – Developing strong analytical skills is vital for success in mathematics and related disciplines.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching, particularly in a structured educational setting. – Continuous learning in mathematics is essential for keeping up with advancements in technology and science.
Problems – Mathematical questions or exercises requiring a solution, often used to test knowledge and understanding. – Solving complex problems in mathematics requires a deep understanding of fundamental concepts and theories.
Analysis – The detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation. – Data analysis in mathematics involves interpreting numerical data to make informed decisions.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university, with a focus on developing knowledge and skills. – Mathematics education plays a crucial role in preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Collaboration – The action of working with someone to produce or create something, often leading to enhanced problem-solving and innovation. – Collaboration among mathematicians can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the field.
