MATH TOOLS NEWSLETTER - October 24, 2011 - No. 102 ***Using Technology to Increase Conceptual Understanding in Algebra and Geometry http://mathforum.org/blogs/annie/ Check out Annie Fetter's blog, which links to her presentation at the recent Association of Teachers of Mathematics of Philadelphia and Vicinity (ATMOPAV) Mathematics & Technology Conference. She and the participants explored interactive applets that let students "notice and wonder," talk about mathematical situations, and develop conceptual understandings of triangle properties, linear equations, systems of equations, and factoring trinomials. ***"WHAT MATH MEANS TO ME" ART CONTEST http://mathforum.org/pd/mymath2011.html McGraw-Hill has received over 300 entries for their "What Math Means to Me" Art Contest. There is still a little time left before Saturday, October 29, the scheduled end of the contest. Put your students' artwork on the cover of McGraw-Hill's latest math program, and your class could win nearly $15,000 in classroom resources -- including a Full Problems of the Week Membership with the Math Forum! To learn more about this new K-5 curriculum and inspire the artwork that your students might put on its cover, visit: http://www.mheonline.com/ \|/ As you browse the catalog, please take a moment to rate a resource, comment on it, review it -- join an existing conversation, or start a new discussion! ***FEATURED DISCUSSION tPoW list - new feature http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html?&do=m&thread=___tpow__g-2 Suzanne announces, "You can see that between the tPoW name and short description there is now a link in [brackets] noting the course and topics and also that text hyperlinks to the corresponding Math Tools page." ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Numbers 123 http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/142209/ Ventura Educational Systems Numbers 123 is a way to introduce and reinforce basic number concepts. For all the times you and your child have a minute or two, this iPhone application is the perfect opportunity to practice counting skills. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Wiser Calc http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/142875/ Chung-Jung Hu Wiser Calc is a scientific calculator which provides an intuitive user interface suitable for simple and complex calculations. This calculator supports "natural display" input style and other features such as browsing/editing calculation history, saving/loading/emailing worksheets, simple swipe gestures, variables, and more. Use the "User's Guide" link to watch a YouTube demo video of the app. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: My Algebra Book http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/142139/ Eric Kean An online algebra book covering the language of algebra, linear relationships, absolute value, quadratics, exponents, radical relationships, polynomials, rational relationships, and more. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Algebra Concepts for iPad http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/140591/ Ventura Educational Systems Algebra Concepts is an interactive learning system designed to provide instruction in mathematics at the 7th grade enrichment through adult levels. The instructional goals for Algebra Concepts include the following objectives: * To introduce the terminology and concepts related to algebra. * To incrementally build an understanding of fundamental concepts by providing an easy-to-use format for exploring algebra. * To support the development of a student's sense of confidence in his/her mathematical ability. ***FEATURED TOOL Tool: Payday Loan Calculator http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/136130/ Consumer Federation of America How much does it cost to borrow money from a payday lender? Many companies quote the cost of loans as the cost to borrow $100, such as $15 per $100 or $20 per $100. Since the loan must be paid in a week or two, consumers may not realize how much loans cost under typical use. ***FEATURED TECHNOLOGY POW Technology PoW: Galactic Exchange II http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tpow/3538/ Steve Risberg, Suzanne Alejandre, Bill Slocum, Mark Chung, and Jody Underwood By using the vending machine (Java applet) to buy food, determine the relative values of the coins. NOTE: A free login is required. Sign up using the link on the login page, or use your existing KenKen or Problems of the Week login--see this page for details: http://mathforum.org/tpow/ CHECK OUT THE MATH TOOLS SITE: Math Tools http://mathforum.org/mathtools/ Register http://mathforum.org/mathtools/register.html Discussions http://mathforum.org/mathtools/discuss.html Newsletter Archive http://mathforum.org/mathtools/newsletter/ Twitter Feed http://mathforum.org/pd/twitter.html Blogs http://mathforum.org/blogs/ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/themathforumatdrexel \`. .--------------.___________) \ |//////////////|___________[ ] `--------------' ) ( '-' The Math Forum @ Drexel -- 24 October 2011