mobile_learning

Write Sums – a mobile app for maths

brittgow

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Screenshots of Write Sums – an application for iPod Touch and iPhones

While most of the class have been starting a unit of work on Algebra, some students need to practise their basic drills. They have been enjoying using the iPod with this application, “Write Sums”. The Lite version has three different levels of difficulty and the choice of a short game (10 questions) or a long game ( 25 questions). The script recognition is pretty good, although it does get confused between “0” and “6” from time to time, which can be frustrating for the students. But it also teaches them to write neatly! This is a tactile game that they believe has improved their skills with basic operations.

Jonathon Riley has written about “The Top 10 iPod Touch Apps to Use in Maths Class“, which are all free apps. Not all of them are suitable for middle years students (iFormulas and Quick Graph are probably for older students), but they are recommended for hand-held practise.

Time zones around the world with an iPod

brittgow

ipod_panorama_maths

Sceenshots of free ipod apps – World times and Google maps

An activity to learn about time zones around the world – go to “World Clock” and choose four cities from around the world, including the main city closest to where you are now. Try to choose places in both hemispheres and different distances from your main city. Find these cities on “Google Maps” and take a screen shots of the world map. Go to “Etch-a-Sketch” (the free – lite – version is fine) and copy the map into the background. Mark on the map where these cities are and compare the location with the time. Can you estimate the time in other main cities around the world based on these times? Where do you think the international date line is?