It is becoming more common for teachers to use online tools within mathematics both within the classroom and as a home learning task. There are many tools available however, there are two that are common in New Zealand Schools.
Mathletics
Mathletics is an online tool that allows learners to challenge their peers both within the classroom and worldwide in testing, developing and strengthening mathematics skills and strategies. Learners are assigned activities by the teacher then allowed free play to practice basic mathematics skill against peers. The games are engaging and bright meaning they draw the learners in and keep them focused on challenges. Teachers and schools can access their learner's participation and results and several schools use this information to select the participant of the week and reward them in assembly. Mathletics also allows teachers to track progress over a longer period of time and reward learners with bronze, silver and gold achievement.
Mangahigh
Mangahigh is similar to Mathletics in many ways however, there is more teacher control. The learners are assigned activities as a whole class or as a group and they can attempt the activity as many times as they choose. The learners can also communicate with the teacher through a message system meaning the learners can communicate if they had difficulties with a task. Mangahigh allows teachers to access the results for an individual learner or a group of learners in spreadsheets. This access to data allows teachers to look for patterns or common gaps and learning and address these.
So looking at this learners data we can see the learner does have some achievements in Gold, Silver or Bronze but normally it takes the learners a few attempts to achieve their high score. This shows that the learner is motivated to achieve a score greater than their starting result and that they are developing and learning more with each attempt.
Thoughts on Use
Both of these tools are engaging for learners but are we using them to make our jobs easier? It is too easy to click a few buttons and let the computer do the teaching and testing but we need to make sure this isn't the case. Using these online tools should be a reward or an additional learning activity to come along after we have taught the essential skills. There are so many ways to engage the whole class where they can collaborate and work together to learn from each other. I say lets use it but lets not step back and let it do our jobs.
Mathletics
Mathletics is an online tool that allows learners to challenge their peers both within the classroom and worldwide in testing, developing and strengthening mathematics skills and strategies. Learners are assigned activities by the teacher then allowed free play to practice basic mathematics skill against peers. The games are engaging and bright meaning they draw the learners in and keep them focused on challenges. Teachers and schools can access their learner's participation and results and several schools use this information to select the participant of the week and reward them in assembly. Mathletics also allows teachers to track progress over a longer period of time and reward learners with bronze, silver and gold achievement.
Mangahigh
Mangahigh is similar to Mathletics in many ways however, there is more teacher control. The learners are assigned activities as a whole class or as a group and they can attempt the activity as many times as they choose. The learners can also communicate with the teacher through a message system meaning the learners can communicate if they had difficulties with a task. Mangahigh allows teachers to access the results for an individual learner or a group of learners in spreadsheets. This access to data allows teachers to look for patterns or common gaps and learning and address these.
Thoughts on Use
Both of these tools are engaging for learners but are we using them to make our jobs easier? It is too easy to click a few buttons and let the computer do the teaching and testing but we need to make sure this isn't the case. Using these online tools should be a reward or an additional learning activity to come along after we have taught the essential skills. There are so many ways to engage the whole class where they can collaborate and work together to learn from each other. I say lets use it but lets not step back and let it do our jobs.
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