tech edge
Mobile learning in the CLASSROOM podcasts
The Tech Edge podcasts were created at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The goal of the videos is to better prepare future teachers to use technology efficiently in their classrooms to enhance learning. The podcasts cover a wide range of subjects and grade levels, detailing specific apps and how they could be used in an elementary or secondary level classroom.
First, I watched Episode 55, all about geometry apps. Dr. Guy Trainin discusses theses apps and also demonstrates some of their features. I was especially interested in listening to Dr. Trainin as I heard him speak on educational technology during high school.
First, I watched Episode 55, all about geometry apps. Dr. Guy Trainin discusses theses apps and also demonstrates some of their features. I was especially interested in listening to Dr. Trainin as I heard him speak on educational technology during high school.
The first app discussed in this episode that I downloaded was Pythagorea. It is a free app compatible on Apple devices with iOS 8 or later and also Android devices. It covers a variety of geometry topics from parallel lines to triangles and everything in between. Some topics would be suitable for middle schoolers, but I would say it is geared towards 8th-10th grade math. It is very user friendly, with clear directions on how to use it and complete the tasks. As you complete each problem or game, your tree grows as an incentive. I like this feature as it encourages students to get their tree to the point of blooming. I could see myself using this app in the classroom as maybe a reward after a test because it is very fun yet still reinforces geometry concepts. It would be useful because it covers such a range of topics and if students need clarification, a full glossary of terms is at their fingertips in the app as well.
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Next, I learned about and tested out Pythagorea 60 degrees. This app works in very much the same was as Pythagorea, but it involves working on a triangular grid, rather than a square one. The topics are more advanced, so it would be geared towards 9th-12th grade math. It is also free and available on Apple and Android. I see myself using Pythagorea more than this app, just because for the topics covered, but this app would be beneficial if you are looking to take Pythagorea to the next level for more advanced students and courses. I would use the section about circles in th classroom because the tasks it asks students to complete require problem solving skills beyond memorization of formulas and concepts.
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Finally, this podcast discussed Xsection. I downloaded it and checked out all of its features. Similar to the previous two apps, Xsection is free and available on both Apple and Android devices. The setup is slightly different in the app, however as you have to choose between basics, tutorials or practice. Also, a downfall to this app is that you must begin at one topic and complete it to move to the next. This would make it difficult to use in the classroom because each student couldn’t skip ahead to a topic I wanted to focus on. The concepts covered in Xsection are similar to Pythagorea, but now in three dimensions. It is geared towards higher level calculus, so either 11th-12th grade math or college level. Because of its setup, I don’t think I would use it in the classroom, but I may recommend it to students struggling with 3D topics to work on outside of school.
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