Interactive Online Activities
Collections
Selected
Activities
Please don't underestimate the power of computer software to illustrate
mathematical concepts! The computer's instantaneous ability to demonstrate the
effects of a number or variable change or provide feedback on a solution can
make for a very dynamic mathematics learning experience.
Here is a set of illustrated mathematics puzzles and activities that explore
number theory, geometry, elementary abstract algebra, discrete math, and logic.
Included are the Tower of Hanoi, questions related to regular polyhedra, and an
exploration of division by zero. For problems that require solutions or proofs,
Internet users must consult another resource if they are unable to solve the
problems themselves. MSP full record
Students explore a problem scenario through online simulations and uncover its
mathematics through class discussion. Encourage students to identify
relationships and patterns and to reflect upon and share their mathematical
work. Each activity includes teaching suggestions, extension questions, and
classroom narratives. MSP full record
These five educational games present advanced mathematical concepts. They use
simple computer coloring and drawing techniques to illustrate concepts from
graph theory and computer science. The goal is to help students experience a
mathematics problem and to understand its difficulties while achieving partial
solutions. The games are not about arithmetic or numbers, but rather about
problem solving and the search for and discovery of patterns, considered the
heart of mathematics. A software download is required. MSP full record
Students are challenged to solve math word problems after viewing a video with a
step-by-step example solution. The online videos start with a typical word
problem in algebra, geometry, probability, or another area. The host, Infinity
Quick, solves the problem as in a tutorial, demonstrating each step as she
proceeds. Viewers answer questions to help solve intermediate steps in the
problem. At the end, students are presented with another similar problem to
solve. An online calculator and a notepad for making sketches or figuring out
the problem are available. Answers are checked automatically. MSP full record
This site features almost 100 virtual manipulatives or applets designed to help
students acquire an intuitive understanding of fundamental concepts in
geometry. Many applets are problem-based. Students are presented with a problem
and must use the applet to explore the problem. Topics addressed in the applets
include congruent triangles, transformations, and the Pythagorean theorem. MSP full record
About the Pythagorean theorem
Here is an online lesson designed to allow students to discover the Pythagorean
theorem on their own. The developer believes that students will gain a deeper
understanding, and have a rewarding experience, by figuring out the theorem for
themselves. The lesson starts with a review of all the geometric essentials
needed for the discovery activity. The review is followed by five clues, based
on applets that form a guided discovery process for the theorem. MSP full record
Six interactive puzzle questions are presented to help students visualize the
Pythagorean theorem and understand why it works. The puzzles feature a large
square and four congruent right triangles with sides of length a, b, and c.
Students use the triangles to cover part of the large square and examine the
area of the remaining space. They may rearrange the triangles, note that the
area of the remaining space does not change, and use this information to
construct a relationship between the three sides. MSP full record
From the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics
In this number line game for summing numbers, students are challenged to find a
sequence of operations with four numbers that results in a given target number.
The numbers are illustrated as bouncing balls on a number line. Each bounce can
be in either a positive or negative direction. The student can use a
guess-and-check approach to solve the problem or a more sophisticated strategy.
After finding a correct sequence and reaching the target number on the number
line, the student forms the number sentence that illustrates the sequence of
operations used to arrive at the target number. MSP full record
The student's goal when using this manipulative is to fill and pour juice in any
order between two containers so that the target volume of juice is found in one
of the two containers. The computer keeps track of the amount of juice in each
container. In the challenge option, an impossible target number is given for
specific sizes of containers, and the student is asked to explain why the
situation is impossible. MSP full record
Here is an interactive version of the classic logic game of the same name. The
student plays against the computer and has eight chances to guess the colored
pattern of four pegs. The student may select to play with a pattern consisting
of two to six colors. MSP full record
From the Figure This! collection of 80 math challenges emphasizing math in the real world
Opening with a cartoon showing the weights of three combinations of fish, this
activity challenges students to determine the weight of each fish. The
introduction discusses algebraic reasoning and notes its importance to
scientists, engineers, and psychologists. Students are encouraged to begin by
adding the weights on all three scales. The answer page describes three
strategies for solving the problem. MSP full record
Students explore the classic mathematics map-coloring question known as the
four-color problem. They must determine the minimum number of colors needed to
color a map so that entities sharing a border have different colors. Initially,
students investigate the minimum number of colors necessary to color a map of
states west of the Mississippi River. MSP full record
Here's an activity for sports fans. The history of the Rose Bowl football
tournament is used to examine numerical combinations. Students determine how
many different ways a football team can end a game with 11 points, something
that has never happened in Rose Bowl history. The activity suggests that
students make tables to organize information as they examine possibilities. The
usefulness of making a table in problem solving and prioritizing is noted. MSP full record
This activity challenges students to find a way to construct a third square from
given diagrams of two unequal squares. It introduces the Pythagorean theorem
and explains its importance in construction and engineering professions.
Students are encouraged to model the problem using squares of paper. MSP full record
![[back to top]](/images/epubs/arrow_up.gif)
Back to top
|
Copyright
March 2005 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work
supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of
the National Science Foundation.
|
|
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
|
|