Technology in the Mathematics Program

Technology encompasses many forms; calculators, telephones, fax machines, videodisc players, televisions, CDs, computers, and most recently the Internet. TEAMS programs incorporate these technologies as tools for use in the classroom. How these technologies can be integrated seamlessly into the mathematics programs will be modeled during TEAMS programs.

Calculators: Calculators should be available to all students. Students need to be taught how and when to use them appropriately.

Telephone: Studio call-ins encourage students to think about what they and other students are doing. Call-ins also motivate students to listen and participate.

Fax: Students can send in work, pose a question, or communicate with other schools via fax.

Video players: Appropriate materials can be taped for use in the classroom. These materials often demonstrate how mathematics is used in the real world. Video tapes are available to enhance mathematical concepts and help make connections to other content areas. When using video tapes, preview the tape first and use only exerpts that are most suitable. If the entire tape is suitable, present students with questions prior to viewing and use these questions to stimulate discussions. Stop the tape for mini lessons or discussions.

Computers/Software: Select software carefully, and experience the software yourself. Software needs to be selected so that it fits the mathematical topic or skill you want to explore. Software should include problem solving, have multiple solutions or multiple ways of solving the problem. Many software companies allow for previewing and will provide copies for a limited time.

Computers should not be used as independent stations. Pairs of students can be at the computer which facilitates communication and exchange of ideas. Jobs can be alternated so that one student is the keyboarder and one the recorder.

Integrated software, i.e. Clarisworks, Microsoft Works, provide students with the tools to create reports, presentations, and charts.

World Wide Web: The Web has a multitude of mathematics sites that you and your students can use for research and interaction. Visit our TEAMS home page at http://teams.lacoe.edu as a starting point to find these resources. Visit the Mathematics Resources page or visit "Amy's Electronic Classroom" and select a mathematics project or activity you feel would be appropriate for your students-we welcome your participation.

TEAMS Distance Learning Instructors each have their own electronic classroom on the TEAMS Distance Learning Home Page. When students and teachers access the electronic classrooms, they find all or some of the following features:

• Projects - Projects involve TEAMS students in collaborative problem solving or exchanging information and data with other TEAMS students from across the country. The Internet is used as a means of communication and provides a real audience and purpose for learning. TEAMS projects provide a means of accessing and distributing a diverse range of data, beyond that available at any one location. Students gather information from many different resources and then go online to share the information they have gathered with their collaborative partners. At the end of the project, a final product is shared back on the web.
• Activities - Activities provide online educational experiences to support and extend concepts and skills. Activities are designed to involve students in thinking skills-how to approach a problem or situation, and how to analyze it. Activities also involve students in both critical thinking and logical reasoning.
• Math At Home - Suggestions and Web Resources for parents. Also, Activities relating to the TEAMS math lessons being taught in the classroom that parents and their children can do at home.
• Discussion Groups (Also known as forums and newsgroups) -These groups are online discussions on specific topics. The discussions are ongoing and replies can be "posted" at any time. The purpose of TEAMS discussion groups is to exchange views about important issues, share information, and/or ask questions.
• Web Links - Collections of links to Web pages around the world related to program topics are provided to give TEAMS students access to valuable information that furthers their understanding.
• Student Work - Students and teachers are able to send in selected student products and have them posted on the Web. These products are scanned and posted on our Shared Work Bulletin Board in the electronic classrooms so they can be seen and enjoyed by everyone. Products may include drawings, pictures, graphs, investigation results, and HyperStudio stacks. In addition, links to your school's home page can be created, if it features TEAMS student work.
• Photo Album & Behind the Scenes Scrapbook - The "Photo Album" is a photo area of the electronic classrooms featuring photos, such as students completing a collaborative TEAMS assignment, or a visit to your classroom by one of TEAMS Distance Learning Instructors. Send your photos or digital images to TEAMS Distance Learning, Attention: Gayle Perry. (Please don't send by FAX because of the poor quality of scanned images.) The "Behind the Scene Scrapbook" is a photo area featuring photos of the DLIs and production staff preparing for telecasts.
• Teacher Corner - The Teacher Corner features useful information on assessment, program schedules and description, software used on the programs, key terms, processing of lessons, things to try and more.

One Computer Classroom

Many of the software included in the software bibliography have programs that can be done as an entire class activity. Spatial sense can be challenged using software, as the examples are many! Here are some suggestions on how to use the television with one computer to make it happen:

If you have an Apple II family computer, you can simply purchase an audio cable from a store and use the television monitor to display the screen of your computer for the entire class to see. The Apple GS has an additional monitor port to use, and for the Apple IIe a "Y-splitter" cable with one male and 2 female connections can be purchased to maintain the view on the computer monitor while using the television screen.

If you have a Macintosh or a PC you will need to purchase a box that connects the television and the computer. These are called "scan converters". Your local computer store or catalog will have the information available. Another alternative is to use an LCD panel, which sits on top of an overhead projector. A third alternative is an RF Modulator which attaches to the antenna connection on the back of your TV. All you have to do is plug the video cable from your computer into the box and set the television to channel 2 or 3.

Technology Resources for Software Catalogs

Use the following phone numbers to call and request a catalog:
Broderbund: 1-800-474-8840
Edmark: 1-800-362-2890
Learning Services: 1-800-877-3278 (East); 1-800-877-9378 (West)
MECC: 1-800-215-0368, X788
Sunburst Communication: 1-800-321-7511

Video Tapes

Math Vantage Videos: Spatial Sense Unit. Sunburst Communication.
Titles include:
2 D Visions in a 3 D World
What's Your Angle?
Trusting Triangles
A World of Quadrilaterals
Containers: Surface Area & Volume
Going Around in Circle

Geometry Software

Shapes and Simulated Manipulatives
Hands-On Math, Volume 1. Ventura Educational Systems. Apple II family, Mac, DOS, WIN. Simulates tangrams and other manipulatives.
Cosmic Geometry. (Grades 7, 8, 9) Edmark. Mac, WIN.
Teaches geometry concepts and problem-solving skills.
Shape Up! Sunburst. Mac.
Libraries of geometric shapes that students can manipulate, measure, and resize. Has polyhedrons and basic geometric shapes, a "voice" also verbalizes the names.
Shootz Math Trek CD. Theatrix Interactive. MAC, WIN CD.
Thinking problems involving sequencing, geometric shapes, spatial visualization and more.
Tenth Planet Explores Math CD. "Combining Shapes," "Creating Patterns from Shapes," Tenth Planet Exploration, Inc. MAC CD.

Tiling Designs - Productivity Software
The Printshop. Broderbund. Apple II family, Mac, IBM, WIN.
Students can create banners, cards, and posters. Will duplicate designs to create tesselations or quilt designs.
Quilting Bee., MECC. Apple II family.
Students create a quilt using transformational geometry, flipping, turning, and sliding shapes.
TesselMania! (Grades 3-12) MECC. Mac, WIN.
TesselMania! Delux. (Grades 3-12) MECC. Mac CD, WIN CD.

Spatial Visualization
Building Perspective. (Grades 4-adult) Mac, Power PC, WIN, DOS (5.25 & 3.5), Apple II family.
Cosmic Geometry. (Grades 7, 8, 9) Edmark. Mac, WIN.
Teaches geometry concepts and problem-solving skills.
Factory. (Grades 4-8) Sunburst. Mac, Mac CD, WIN, WIN CD, DOS (5.25 & 3.5), Apple II family. Spanish version called La Fabrica
Gears. (Grades 6-adult). Sunburst. Mac, DOS (5.25 & 3.5), Tandy, Apple II family.
Geometric Golfer. (Grades 7-12) MECC. Mac.
Geometry Inventor (Grades 8 - adult) Sunburst. Mac, WIN.
Geometric SuperSupposer. (Grades 6-12) Sunburst. Mac, DOS (5.25 & 3.5).
Math Keys: Unlocking Geometry Volume II (Grades 3-6) Mac.
Explores spatial geometry by using electronic pattern and shape blocks, a geogrid, and mirrors.
Quadrominoes. (Grades 4-6) Sunburst. Mac.
Super Factory. (Grades 6 - adult) Sunburst. Mac, DOS (5.25 & 3.5), Apple II family.