Using iPods in Math

So now that I think I’ve begun to wrap my head around the idea of student-centered learning in mathematics, I starting thinking about ways I could integrate technology into this learning. The idea of using iPod apps is not a brand-new concept, but it definitely was to me. I starting reading about different uses for iPods in the Math/Science classroom on Dr. David Wetzel’s blog and got hold of 10 iPod Touch devices .When searching for apps to use to support my students’ learning, a major problem I came across was that many of the apps were too primary or too advanced for Grade 8 Math. That being said, there are like a kazillion apps to choose from, and I exhausted from my search after about 2 hours. It was also important to me that the apps coincide with what we were actually learning about. We are just starting our Algebra unit, so while there are some pretty great apps on Fractions, it made no sense to use those. So finding just the right app was more of a challenge than I had anticipated.
I downloaded some different apps , some free and some not, and posted the list to my website so that any student of mine who owns an iPod Touch or iPhone could download them from home. It surprised me how many students purchased the apps that were not free!

In the end, only a few of them ended up being ones that I focused on using in class. They were:
Apps that are not free:
•Algebra Touch
•DiaMath (algebra learning tool - Diamond Math)
•Learn Elementary Algebra
•Pre-Algebra Guide
•Tic Tac Math Algebra
Free Apps:
•MATH ! Lite
•Khan Academy: PreAlgebra
•eTutor
•TwentyFour Lite - A fun math game!
•FREE Equation Genius - Math equation solver
•Pop Math Lite
•Math Drop- Free

Of them, the apps that are most valuable to my students at this point in our curriculum are:

•Twenty Four Lite – Game where 4 numbers are given and you have to make them equal 24 using basic arithmetic. Students could challenge other students by creating multi-player sessions over Bluetooth. This game supported problem solving skills and cooperative learning.

•DiaMath –The principle of DiaMath is to solve for the two empty spaces in the diamond, using the pattern rule of: the left and right spaces multiply to get the top number (product) and add together to get the bottom number (sum). The location of the empty spaces changes, and there are varying levels of difficulties – excellent for students of varying abilities.

•Algebra Touch – Covers: simplification, like terms, commutativity, order of operations, factorization, prime numbers, elimination, isolation, variables, solving equations. Drag to rearrange, tap to simplify, and draw lines to eliminate identical terms.


•Tic Tac Math Algebra – A basic strategy game like Tic Tac Toe coupled with the challenge of solving algebraic equations ranging from simple linear expressions to systems of equations. Can be played by one or two players.