http://mathplayground.com/
Math Playground is a website that provides fun and meaningful games for math students. Overall, these games are very engaging and relevant for students ranging from K-12. As part of this, the website includes interactive games that cover a broad range of concepts including basic math games, word problems, and logic games. Further, the website covers every subject in the math spectrum including geometry and algebra. At the same time the site includes an interactive exercise for students, at the high school level, preparing for the SAT.
Besides interactive games, the websites has math videos that students can use to help them better understand topics. For instance, there is a video that explains to students what a prime numbers is. The video is very detailed and goes into great depth to explain the concept. More importantly, some of the videos have been uploaded by peers not just teachers.
http://www.brainpop.com/
Brain Pop is an interactive website that includes fun games and activities that can be used in group settings or on an individual basis. One of the great features about this website is the fact that it is based on the common core, so any learning done on the site is relevant to current teaching objectives. In addition, the games and programs are completely compatible with whiteboards, projectors, and Mac/PCs. Overall, the site is very user friendly and includes programs for students of all ages.
In reality, the games and interactive learning activities can be integrated into any curriculum. As part of this, the site includes specific games tied to Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and other math topics. Further, the site includes instructional videos on math topics that are confusing to many students. The videos are very organized and can be used by students to better understand a topic.
More important to teaching in the 21st century, the website is friendly to ELL learners and children with other special needs. As part of this, the site is broken into different segments that cover students of all ages and needs. For instance, the site includes BrainPOP Jr. (K-3), BrainPOP (4-12), BrainPOP Espanol, and BrainPOP ESL. As can be seen, this website is a valuable resource for students.
How can I use these websites in the classroom?
Overall, these website can be used in several ways by any math teacher. Personally, I would use the websites in the classroom to help students better understand the subject matter. For instance, students could do word problems as part of an independent or group exercise. In addition, to make homework a little more attractive, problems from the website could be assigned to students. Further, the videos that explain different topics may be a great option to use when students are just not getting the concept, based on the way I am teaching it. For these students, maybe hearing an explanation, via a video, may be a better option. In reality, differentiating teaching methods is important in the inclusive classroom. Our students are not one size fits all. Fortunately, web sites like these make things a little easier.
It is also worth noting that I would personally use the websites to improve my own teaching skills. The sites are full of ideas for better instruction and the video explanations, of math concepts, are valuable. For instance, the videos could give me insight into different ways to approach a complex math topic. Overall, as a new teacher, every resource is valuable and should be used.
I really liked the math playground website. I also agree that it is nice to see that some videos are uploaded by peers and not just teachers. Having a site like this might spark students' interest in making their own videos, which really enhances learning. It is always nice to have resources that students can look at if they do not understand a concept,therefore creating students' independence and self regulated learning.
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