Bonus Activity: Math Tools and Resources (maybe some science stuff too)

6 Dollar Shirts

Math is one of those subjects that can be seen as a challenge to do with technology yet many math teachers who use technology find powerful ways to enhance their students' learning experience. I (Ryan) am a math guy. I have a Mathlete's shirt (link below picture), I celebrate pi day every year, and I taught math for 9½ years and look at me now (sarcasm). Side note, I am proud that I figured out how to type a ½ in html code so it would show up on this page (go me ¼ ½ ¾ I am a tech nerd rock star!) __________________________________________________________________________

Tool 1: G(Math) Add-On

G(Math) can be used with Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Forms. The functionality in all 3 areas is about the same.

Google Docs 

Even if you have used G(Math) before, there may be a few cool features that you didn't know were there. Handwriting entries is awesome. If you pair that with a Smart Board you can create equations as quickly as you write them. Another feature many people miss is how to edit an equation after you have inserted it into the document. This video is a quick overview of G(Math) and also points out some of those features.

There is also a speech recognition feature. It requires some knowledge of the necessary formatting or some LaTex editing but all in all it is a fairly easy to use feature.

Google Forms 
You can use G(Math) to create questions that include equations, graphs, and statistical displays. You can also include any of them in multiple choice answers. 

You have the ability to have students take a Google Form and use the G(Math) feature to complete short answer questions.

Tool 2: Desmos

I had no idea that Desmos had some much stuff available for teachers and students. Of course they have their calculator but they also have an activity builder and a large set of pre-made activities both by Desmos and by other teachers that can be used to teach graphing.

Desmos Calculator - https://www.desmos.com/calculator

First, let's take a look at a basic Desmos introduction. In this video I will cover how to create a graph, add points, add and image, open pre-made graphs, use/make sliders, and look at how students can share graphs with you or how you can share a graph with students.

If you want to go more in depth, for example if you wanted to see how you could use desmos to graph inequalities, trig, statistics, or even integrals/derivitives, Desmos has video tutorials for all of those and more at http://learn.desmos.com/calculator

Desmos Classroom Activities - https://teacher.desmos.com/

In preparation for creating this activity, this is the best/coolest resource I found that I am going to talk about. In addition to the Desmos Calculator, they also have a website where you can create classroom activities to teach students different aspects of graphs.

First, check out one of the activities to see what it can do. You will need to log in but you can log in with Google so you don't have to create an account.

• Learn about linear graphing including slope, x-intercept, and domain
• Learn about important features of parabolas

After checking out the activities you can explore in Desmos to see other activities create by Desmos and other teachers. You can also create you own activities and modify activities that have been created by others.

Here is a link to a video playlist created by Desmos to cover some of the basics of using their activity creator.

Tool 3: Formative Assessments

This is more of a technique than a tool. Most formative assessment tools, including the ones we looked at for this class like Kahoot, Quizzizz, Quizlet, Go Formative, EdPuzzle, Zaption, etc. don't have a math type feature or if they do, they are very rudimentary. What they do have in an option to insert an image. The easiest way to get around that is to create whatever equations you are going to use in Google Docs then take a screen capture of the equation. On a computer I use the snipping tool to get my screen capture and then insert that image into whatever assessment tool I am using. On a Chromebook I use the screenshot region feature by holding down control and shift then pressing the switch window button (the 6th button from the left in the top row). Below are two videos showing this technique on each device.

Screen Capture on a computer

Screen Capture on a Chromebook

Tool 4: TinkerCad

Tinkercad is a 3D design platform where you can build various 3D shapes. It is a great tool for investigating 3D figures in Geometry or any other class where you are looking at 3D shapes. You can also adjust the workplane so you are looking straight down at it for work with 2D objects. In additional to its many uses in a Geometry classroom, TinkerCad is a platform that is often used for 3D printing so it has several applications in that area as well. Below is an intro tutorial about Tinkercad. 

For basic Tinkercad training, they offer step by step lessons on Tinkercad under the "Learn" tab. https://www.tinkercad.com/quests/

There is also a Gallery where you can see what other people have made and you can even copy their designs to your Tinkercad then make changes to them. https://www.tinkercad.com/things/

Tool 5: Screencasting/Flipping/Somersaulting

This one is more of a discussion than a tool and it is about the idea of using videos in your class. The basic premise of the statements I am going to make in the video below is that there are many uses for videos in class and you can take advantage of those many uses. As an aside, somersaulting is a term that was coined a few years ago for people who didn't fully flip their classrooms but still made use of videos in different ways, some if which will be discussed.