WEBSITE REVIEW
1. Title
of Website: Educat=
ion in
Physics and Mathematics:
Welcome to Zon=
a
Land…
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URL
http://id.mind.net/~zona/index.html
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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=
Zona
Land contains
educational and entertaining items pertaining to physics, mathematical =
sciences,
and mathematics in general. Its
user-friendly features include simple explanations, clear illustrations,
and interactive buttons that allow for the demonstration of listed topi=
cs. Physics topics include mechani=
cs,
waves, and light with sub-topics listed under mechanics and light. The mathematics section has
wonderful information related to functions, geometry, trigonometry, and
other miscellaneous topics. The
EZ Graph feature is a graphics calculator that allows the user to easily
change coefficients to see the effect on polynomial, rational, exponent=
ial,
logarithmic, or trigonometric functions.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School,
Elementary College Algebra
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This site has immediate application in my Algebra I
classes. I use the
Slope-Intercept feature to demonstrate that a line with a positive slope
slants upward to the right and a line with a negative slope slants down=
ward
to the right. I also
demonstrate that the absolute value of the slope determines the
“steepness” of the line.&n=
bsp;
The ‘You Control’ button allows quick demonstrations=
.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
2. Title
of Website: Math
Education and Technology:
International Education Software
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URL
http://www.ies.co.jp/math/indexeng.html
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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This site contains interactive programs that allow
manipulation of graphics and utilization of animation for the purpose of
visualizing difficult mathematical concepts. The Manipula Math with JAVA co=
ntains
279 math Applets that cover topics from middle school mathematics,
trigonometry, calculus, vectors, complex numbers, and conics. Other topics covered in the co=
ntents
are Dynamic Geometry, Software by IES, Links, and Messages. The site is available in Engli=
sh or
Japanese.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School,
Elementary College Algebra, Calculus
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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The applet, The Sum of Outer Angles of a Polygon, =
is the
most user-friendly application I’ve ever seen for visualizing this
concept. The mouse is use=
d to
indicate vertices of a polygon (of any desired number of sides), the
polygon is drawn when “Ok” is clicked, and the exterior ang=
les
of the polygon are immediately indicated. The “Scale down” b=
utton
dramatically demonstrates the concept.=
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WEBSITE REVIEW
3. Title
of Website: A+ Mat=
h
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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This web site is useful for students seeking to im=
prove
basic mathematics skills.
Flashcards are included to give practice in adding, subtracting,
multiplying, dividing, rounding, and finding square roots. The Game Room includes games s=
uch as
Matho and Hidden Picture. The
Homework Helper allows a student to enter a problem and see the correct
solution. Worksheets are
available for performing the basic operations with decimals, fractions,=
and
money and for working problems dealing with order of operations and bas=
ic
algebra. These worksheets=
are
available in a format that allows printing, or they can be worked online
and be immediately corrected.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Elementary, Middle, High S=
chool
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This site would be very helpful for students at th=
e high
school level who need remediation in basic mathematical skills. The activities would work well=
with
individual students or small groups of students at a single computer, or
they could be used with an entire class using a Smartboard or other sim=
ilar
technology.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
4. Title
of Website: MATHCO=
UNTS
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URL
http://mathcounts.org
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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The Home Page for MATHCOUNTS contains information =
about
the program, general information concerning how to get involved, and
information about the nature of competitions. The organization promotes
partnerships between educators, students, volunteers, and industry
volunteers. The web site =
has
archives of problems that date back to 1996. The problems represent a wide
variety of topics at varying levels of difficulty and interests. The solution to each problem a=
lways
follows closely behind the presentation of the problem.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School=
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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The problems included in the archive of this websi=
te
could be used in a variety of ways in a mathematics classroom. They could be used at the begi=
nning
of the class as a hook, as a challenge for more advanced students, or a=
s a
bonus for students who don’t mind going the extra mile. There are hundreds of problems
available.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
5. Title
of Website: StudyW=
orks!
Online
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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StudyWorks! Online is a comprehensive website that
offers a plethora of information on a huge number of topics ranging from
mathematics and science to music and photography. Mathematics topics include alg=
ebra, calculus,
geometry, trigonometry, music and math, solving equations, special numb=
ers,
graphing, symmetry, arithmetic skills, the Pythagorean Theorem, and
probability and statistics. The
Math Zapper allows students to view step-by-step the solution to proble=
ms
involving fractions, decimals, and percents. The web site offers activities=
and
information for parents, students, and teachers.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Elementary through College=
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This website can be utilized for everything from g=
iving
students practice in basic skills to higher topics such as illustrating=
the
connection between parabolas and catenaries to real-world applications =
such
as suspension bridges and wires hanging between utility poles. The color photographs are exce=
llent
illustrations that mathematics does have real-world applications.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
6. Title
of Website: THE SP=
ACE
EDUCATORS’ HANDBOOK: NASA
SPACE MATHEMATICS
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URL
http://www1.jsc.nasa.gov/er/she/math.html
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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The Space Educators’ Handbook contents list =
the
following features: Space
Calendar, Space Astronomy, Space Robotics, S=
pace
Museum, Kids’ Space, <=
st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Columbus and Spaceship America, NASA Scie=
nce
Fiction, Space Movies Cinema, Space Comics, Space Spinoffs, Space
Mathematics, Space Educators’ Handbook PDF Library, Space Cool St=
uff,
Apollo 13, and From the Earth to the Moon Interactive. The mathematics section conten=
ts
list the following topics:
Mathematical Aspects of Some NASA Missions, Computation and
Measurement, Algebra, Geometry, Probability and Statistics, Exponential=
and
Logarithmic Functions, Trigonometry, Matrix Algebra, and Conic Sections=
.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: High School, College
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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The problems presented in the NASA Space Mathemati=
cs
Handbook are real-world, high-interest problems that are pertinent to
situations encountered in careers with NASA or involving space
exploration. The problems=
are
quite difficult, so this site would be beneficial in providing the above
average student the challenge of practicing skills learned in higher-le=
vel
mathematics courses.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
7. Title
of Website: Funbra=
in
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URL
http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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This web site contains scores of educational games
designed for preschoolers and elementary students. The games are colorful and con=
tain
many cute graphics and are extremely easy to play. The site has games divided into
mathematics and reading categories.&nb=
sp;
Several of the math games have a sports theme and may appeal to
middle school students in need of remediation of basic skills.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Preschool, Elementary Scho=
ol
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This web site at first glance appears to be too ju=
venile
for the students I teach.
However, I never cease to be amazed at the online games these hi=
gh
school students play. Tic=
Tac
Toe Squares, MathCar Racing, 2Bee or Nottoobee, and Weather Dog are nam=
es
of games that may grab their attention. And who knows, someone may just
learn something!
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WEBSITE REVIEW
8. Title
of Website: Nation=
al
Library of Virtual Manipulatives
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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=
Utah
State University
has created an awesome site that is extremely user friendly. The activities are divided int=
o four
levels. They are Pre-K th=
rough
grade two, grades three through five, grades six through eight, and gra=
des
nine through twelve. Topi=
cs
covered are divided into five categories. They are Number and Operations,
Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability. A partial listing of virtual
manipulatives from the grade 9 – 12 algebra reveals titles such as
Algebra Balance Scales, Function Machine, Grapher, Pattern Blocks,
Pentominoes, and Stick or Switch.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Pre-K through grade twelve=
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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I examined the Algebra Balance Scales, Function Ma=
chine,
and Grapher features of this web site.=
The Function Machine and Grapher programs would be excellent for=
use
with the entire class using technology that projects onto a screen that
could be seen by everyone.
Functions are a difficult topic for most students, and this will=
be
beneficial. The Grapher p=
rogram
is visually simple and would allow demonstrations to the entire class t=
hat
normally would be done one-on-one.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
9. Title
of Website: Abound=
ing
Joy: Math PowerPoint
Presentations
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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Steve Hall is a high school mathematics teacher who
maintains this awesome web site.
In addition to sixteen PowerPoint presentations that are useful =
in
an Algebra I class, his site has an abundance of material on Christiani=
ty,
midwifery (his wife is a retired midwife), mathematics, parenting, bein=
g a
student, and personal information related to his family. The site is attractive, well
organized, and easy to use.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School and High Sch=
ool
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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The PowerPoint mathematics presentations are
awesome. The textbook in =
use at
the high school where I teach does not include matrices, and the two
presentations on matrices are the only resource I need to use to make s=
ure
this topic is taught. I p=
lan on
incorporating this site into my lesson plans for next week.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
10. Title
of Website: NCTM
Illuminations
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URL
http://illuminations.nctm.org/Lessons.aspx
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics=
217;
web site, Illuminations, has four hundred ninety-two mathematics lesson
plans on all grade levels from kindergarten through the twelfth grade on
number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis
and probability. A search
window allows for quick access to lessons related to a specific concept=
or
topic. Illuminations also=
has
links to seven hundred twenty-six math resources on the web.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Kindergarten through Grade
Twelve
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This site allows access to individual lessons that
coincide with five NCTM standards.&nbs=
p;
The lesson on Venn Diagrams and Logic uses Venn diagrams to expl=
ore
direct, indirect, and transitive reasoning. The graphics are clear and wou=
ld
lend themselves to use with an entire class using projection
technology. Each lesson p=
lan
includes features such as learning objective(s), material, instructional
plan, assessment options, extensions, NCTM standards and expectations,
references, and questions for students.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
11. Title
of Website: Intera=
ctive
Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles
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URL
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/index.shtml
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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This site is for teachers, parents, and students w=
ho
seek engaging mathematics. Many
of the topics are accompanied by Java illustrations. There are more than seven hund=
red
Java applets. Mathematics
topics include arithmetic, games and puzzles, algebra, geometry, logic,
fractals and chaos, fallacies, calculus, visual illusions, probability,
computer math magic, and links to other math sites. Engaging, thought-provoking
activities are found in combinatorial games, combinatorics, miscellaneo=
us,
droodles, and analog devices.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Advanced Middle School, Hi=
gh
School, College
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This site contains applets that are simple to mani=
pulate
with the click and movement of the mouse. Most of the topics lend themse=
lves
to enrichment activities for the more advanced students. The topics assume a strong
background in mathematics and are written with a rather sophisticated
reading level. I don̵=
7;t
see me using this with an entire class or with groups of three or large=
r.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
12. Title
of Website: The Ma=
th
Forum @ Drexel
University=
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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This web site offers a wealth of problems and puzz=
les,
online mentoring, research, team problem solving, collaborations, and
professional development. The
High School Teachers’ Place contains ideas and resources for teac=
hing
mathematics, a teacher exchange, internet activities and projects, and
individual lesson plans. =
The
individual lesson plans list contains numerous links to other sites. A search feature is available =
to
simplify navigation through this site.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: High School and College
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This site has hundreds of links to other sites, wh=
ich
would allow a teacher to look for individual lesson plans or materials =
on
which to base the lessons.
There are a couple of class projects that I checked out that wou=
ld
be interesting and relevant to my curriculum. Other pages can be used by
individual students as a computer exploration, classroom demonstration
material, or as an alternative to traditional investigations.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
13. Title
of Website: Teachi=
ng
Math With The Net: Second=
ary
Level
|
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URL
http://www.techtrekers.com/mathsec.htm
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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|
This web site provides links to hundreds of other =
sites
that allow the Internet to be used as a resource in the mathematics
classroom. The Homepage s=
tates,
“The Internet can be a great tool to reinforce and support classr=
oom
study as well as give students the bigger picture on how math is applie=
d in
real life.” Links a=
re
divided into Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Advanced Math, Calculus, =
and
General topics.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Kindergarten through Colle=
ge
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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This site is designed to be used as an
“index” to other secondary math sites. In essence it can almost be us=
ed as
a search engine for activities that can be incorporated into a
teacher’s repertoire of lesson plans. I will use this site to connec=
t me to
other sites that correlate with topics from the curricula of the subjec=
ts I
teach.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
14. Title
of Website: discov=
eryschool.com
|
|
URL
http://school.discovery.com
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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|
This web site is maintained by Discovery Education=
and
is a division of Discovery Communication, Inc. The menu lists what’s sh=
owing
On TV, Lesson Plans, the Teacher’s Store, Kathy Schrock’s G=
uide
for Educators, Custom Classroom, Teaching Tools, Curriculum Cent=
er,
Homework Helpers, and Favorites.
The mathematics lesson plans are divided into Grades K-5, Grades
6-8, and Grades 9-12. The
lesson plans are adaptable for younger or older audiences and are well
organized. Each lesson
indicates the objective, materials, procedures, evaluation, vocabulary,=
and
academic standards.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Kindergarten through Grade
Twelve
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|
How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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A teacher is always open to finding and using a
well-organized lesson plan! The
plans included in this site have real world application and are very
contemporary. The topics =
in the
site that are relevant to objectives I teach are Concepts in Advanced
Algebra, Concepts in Algebra, Concepts in Geometry, Concepts in
Precalculus, Limits, Infinity, and Probability and Rational Number
Concepts.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
15. Title
of Website: Webmat=
h.com
|
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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Webmath is an awesome site that allows a student t=
o get
help in solving a math problem.
The site offers three options.&=
nbsp;
A student can click on one of the tabs labeled Math for Everyone,
General Math, K-8 Math, Algebra, Plots & Geometry, Trig. &
Calculus, and Other Stuff. He
or she can find a problem similar to the one to be solved by browsing
through over 2,200 completely solved math problems. Or the student can submit the
problem and receive an answer from a math expert.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Kindergarten through Grade
Twelve
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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I checked out the Algebra tab and was astounded by=
its
capabilities. I entered a
polynomial that was the difference of two squares and the program FACTO=
RED IT! The algebra topics were Simpli=
fying
Expressions, Factoring Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Complex Number=
s,
Word Problems, Polynomials, Solving Equations, Radical Expressions,
Inequalities, and More math help.
Every one of these topics is applicable to my curriculum!
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WEBSITE REVIEW
16. Title
of Website: Kathy
Schrock’s Guide for Educators
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|
URL
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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|
Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators is a
categorized list of sites useful for enhancing curriculum and professio=
nal
growth. Clicking on the S=
ubject
Access Mathematics button revealed thirty-four links to sites that prov=
ide
things such as lessons, resources, interactive activities, research
material, study guides, and opportunities for practice in developing sk=
ills
for every level starting with kindergarten and going through college. Links to search engines are
provided; Kathy’s Picks highlights new sites and content-rich sit=
es;
and Teacher Helpers highlights articles, books, and other resources that
are valuable to the teacher.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Kindergarten through Colle=
ge
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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I had heard of this site but never took the opport=
unity
to explore it until now. =
This
site will be helpful in navigating the web for educational sites that a=
re
useful to me. Schrock is =
highly
thought of and her reputation means that sites she recommends are worth
exploring. Use of this si=
te
should be a time saver.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
17. Title
of Website: Ole Mi=
ss
Problems of the Week
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URL
http://www.olemiss.edu/mathed/problem.htm
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Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
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|
The Problem of the Week is an educational web site=
that
originates at the Uni=
versity
of Mississippi.=
Past Problems are divided into
Algebra in Action, Middle School Madness, Problem of the Week, Elementa=
ry
Brain Teaser, and Geometry Gambit.&nbs=
p;
The Algebra in Action button has over two hundred problems archi=
ved
with a list of all people who submitted a correct answer. Casio Electronics provides pri=
zes
that are awarded randomly from a pool of contestants that successfully
solve that week’s problem.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School=
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How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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The archive of past problems provides interesting
material that can be utilized for motivation. I could seek to encourage my
students to participate in solving the current Problem of the Week and
actually be eligible for the prize drawing. A link is provided to Ole
Miss’s web site for students who may be considering the University of Mississippi.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
18. Title
of Website: MAA On=
line
|
|
URL
http://www.maa.org/mathland/mathland_archives.html
|
|
Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
|
|
The Mathematical Association of America has an arc=
hive
of Ivars Peterson’s MathTrek problems titled MathLand that date f=
rom
1996 to 2003 on its web site.
The problems are well written, include clear graphics, and are of
high interest topics. He =
often
connects mathematical skills to works of literature, such as the writin=
gs
of Mark Twain, or television programs, such as The Simpsons. He makes connections with math=
and
the real world in a manner I’ve never seen anywhere else.
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Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School,
College
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|
How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
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|
Ivars Peterson’s way of explaining mathemati=
cal
concepts and connecting those concepts to the real world are
fascinating. I would use =
this
web site to generate interest in a topic being introduced. The material contained in this=
site
could be used to demonstrate to students that the world of mathematics =
does
not have to be uninteresting.
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WEBSITE REVIEW
19. Title
of Website: Intern=
et
Resources for Use in Secondary Mathematics Classes
|
|
URL
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/math_sec.htm
|
|
Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
|
|
This web site includes Exercises in Math Readiness=
and
Math Resources. The Exerc=
ises
in Math Readiness includes a wealth of information related to all level=
s of
higher mathematics. There=
are
tutorials along with exercise practices for algebra, trigonometry,
geometry, logarithmic functions, complex numbers, truth tables, and dir=
ect
and indirect proofs. The =
Math
Resources has a search engine for math topics and lessons found on the
web. HelpAlgebra.com cont=
ains
algebra history, an online textbook, and articles.
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|
Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School=
, and
College
|
|
How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
|
|
The Online Algebra Help Text is full of informatio=
n that
can supplement the textbook I use in my classroom. This gives me another resource=
I can
use to illustrate topics that I teach every day. The site could serve as an exc=
ellent
source for students doing research for a paper. The site also has links to ove=
r one
hundred other sites that provide links to every math site known to mank=
ind.
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|
WEBSITE REVIEW
20. Title
of Website: GoMath=
.com
On-Line Math Help
|
|
URL
http://www.gomath.com/
|
|
Description of the Site (50 to 100 words)
|
|
This web site offers tutorials and on-line opportu=
nities
for practice of mathematical skills in geometry and algebra. There are sections titled Virt=
ual
Physics and SAT Math. The=
Algebra
Solution section is divided into Pre-Algebra and Algebra. Mini-Lessons are provided for a
quick review of the subject.
Graphics and examples are clear and presented in a way that allow
for easy understanding. T=
he
site permits a student to enter a problem and receive an automated
step-by-step solution. Pr=
oblems
are provided for a wide variety of topics and students are allowed to i=
nput
values to see the solution to the problem for that particular value.
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|
Appropriate Grade Levels: Middle School, High School=
|
|
How you would use this site in your teaching: (50 words)
|
|
This site could be used in the classroom to reinfo=
rce
skills. Students with acc=
ess to
the Internet at home could utilize this site to help with homework. In the classroom problems coul=
d be projected
so that the entire class can work the problem and then see the correct
solution immediately displayed.
This is a powerful site with potential for great use with my
students.
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