Use of ICT

This page features advice on the use of ICT in the teaching and learning of Mathematics.

Autograph

Autograph is an essential tool for the Mathematics classroom allowing for statistical, 2D and 3D graphs to be plotted easily. For more details see: www.autograph-math.com

Use of the constant controller in Autograph
C4 Vectors with Autograph
Advanced Vector Geometry in Autograph
Transformations in Autograph

Excel

Spreadsheets are a very useful tool in the Mathematics classroom and can be used for many types of investigations.

Students are likely to benefit greatly from learning how to enter formulae into spreadsheets. This can help them remember important formulae and the technique will obviously be useful to them in other areas. In addition to this they will have to learn the specific syntax of the package they are using; this will allow the importance of conventions for syntax to be emphasised. A good example is to have students set up a spreadsheet that solves the quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0, when the values of a, b and c are entered in separate cells. For more details see NCETM Mathemapedia: Spreadsheet Algebra

The 'Forms' toolbar on Excel allows for scroll-bars/sliders to be added to worksheets. These are excellent for displaying the effect of varying parameters in a situation. They work well with IWBs as they can be operated from the board, removing the need for key-entry.
Comparing distributions - an example from Statistics 2
Using scroll-bars - instructions on how to add scroll-bars to spreadsheets

MEI Online resources

The MEI online resources provided detailed resources to support the study of AS/A-Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics and FSMQ Additional Mathematics. They contain study plans, notes, extra questions and a variety of interactive resources. They are designed to be used by teachers and students in schools and colleges, tutors and students of the Further Mathematics Network, private tutors and students studying independently.

For further information, including a sample of the resources, see: www.resources.mei.org.uk/howwork.shtml

Interactive AS Core Mathematics

Over 100 fully interactive activities that cover the whole of the AS Mathematics core. The activities feature the ability to move graphs (and view the effects on the equations) or produce randomly generated questions. They are designed to be used with an IWB (all the activities are operated by dragging or pressing buttons) or a PC & projector/stand-alone PC. Each activity is also available as a separate file that can be integrated into a VLE.

Example activities:
Curve sketching: Completed square form
Differentiation: Stationary points on cubic curves

For more information see: www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Title/9780340947685/Interactive_AS_Core_Mathematics.htm

Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs)

Using another program, e.g. the internet/Excel/Autograph, alongside the the whiteboard software means that ICT can inserted seamlessly into lessons when appropriate. In addition to this the act of dragging or moving graphs/diagrams can be powerful when explaining a mathematical concept, especially if multiple representations of the same object can be displayed on the screen (e.g. equation, table and graph).

For more information see: Teaching Maths with an IWB (PowerPoint presentation).

Lots of ideas and resources for using an interactive whiteboard can be found at: www.iwbmaths.co.uk/

Geogebra

Geogebra is free java-based software for drawing geometrical shapes and plotting graphs. It is excellent for demonstrating such things as the perpendicularity of a tangent and a radius and drawing tangents to curves at a point. Points on the screen can be moved easily, so it works well with an IWB. One very useful feature is the ability to place a background image behind the axes so geometric shapes in photos can be investigated.

To download visit: www.geogebra.org
There is a free pool of dynamic worksheets at: www.geogebra.org/en/wiki/

Geogebra can be used to create dynamic demonstrations for mechanics. Demonstrations for every question on the January 2007 Mechanics 1 paper have been produced and are available to be downloaded. Using Geogebra in this way highlights how mechanics is an application of both geometry and algebra.
January 2007 Mechanics 1 on Geogebra

Open questioning graphs

“Graphs” features a variety of movable graphs covering most curves needed for C1 and C2. The graphs can be moved on axes that are displayed without scales. Pens are provided to annotate the graphs. It is designed to be used with a PC, projector and whiteboard (interactive or traditional).
Graphs (html)
Graphs (swf) - requires Flash player (right-click to save to your computer)
Graphs (exe) - does not require Flash player (right-click to save to your computer)

Formulator Tarsia (Jigsaw Software)

Formulator Tarsia (previously known as Jigsaw 2005 or Activity Template Software) allows you to create mathematical jigsaws, dominoes and other card-sort activities in an easily printable form. It is free to download from www.mmlsoft.com

Maxima (free CAS software)

Maxima is an open-source computer algebra system that can be downloaded from: sourceforge.net/projects/maxima

Geometry software (Geometer's Sketchpad, Cabri II Plus and Cabri 3D)

Cabri Geometry II Plus lets you dynamically explore Euclidean, transformational and coordinate geometry. You can construct any geometrical object, including vectors and conics (inc. ellipses and hyperbolas) and see equations of lines, circles, ellipses, loci, and coordinates of points. See: www.chartwellyorke.com/cabri.html

Cabri 3D v2 lets you construct, manipulate and explore solid and space geometry in 3 dimensions. See: www.chartwellyorke.com/cabri3d/cabri3d.html

Geometer's Sketchpad is dynamic geometry software offering exploration of wide range of mathematics, featuring enhanced support for algebra and calculus as well as geometry. See: www.chartwellyorke.com/sketchpad.html

For further details of Chartwell-Yorke's mathematics software for see: www.chartwellyorke.com

IP Maths

IP Maths is mechanics software for that allows dynamic models to be built and animated. The models are interactive - parameters can be varied and data plotted/exported. See: www.fable.co.uk/ipmaths.htm

Useful websites

For a list of useful websites see Resources > Useful links

Other ideas

If you would like any further information about the items listed or have a resource/technique/website that you would like to suggest then please email: tom.button@mei.org.uk

updated 01/07/2008