Elektroninės matematikos pratybos Math King
Sigita
Zuklijiene, Karmelava B.Buracas Secondary School, teacher - expert of
Mathematics, , Vilnius Street 69-5, Karmelava, phone +37065783157, sigutesigute@gmail.com
Summary
Electronic activity book of mathematics Math King
Computer based educational programs
of mathematics Math King (for 6th
– 10th grades) were developed by Finnish company Mikrolinna
together with educational experts. It features both teaching materials and
exercises. Currently, it would be an excellent supplementary material for the
textbooks in mathematics in our comprehensive schools, providing a tremendous
assistance for mathematics teachers not only in organizing independent students
work, but also in examining and grading their achievements. The aim of this
article is to provide a brief analytical description of computer program Math King .
Math, just as any other subject, has to provide the joy
of knowledge. Even if the book is simple, clear and easy to understand, it
isn‘t going to set the kids free from exhausting activity - solving the
excersizes by writing to the notebooks, and if something goes wrong – scraping
and re-writing. Computer software Math King is made in order to expand
students‘ skill and put it into practice. The computer screen replaces the
notebook, the student has to type in the action, part of it, or a result by
using mental skills. This software checks every action the student types in,
and doesn‘t let trough any mistakes, and when a student makes a mistake, the
software dislplays the correct answer. The most valuable aspect of this
software is that when mistake is made, you can get help. Help –
animated,detailed formulas , main rules and explanations of the given type of
the excersize. Excersizes are usually displayed in order from the most
difficult to the least one, which strenghtens thefeeling of improvement, while
at the same time motivating the student to study all by him self.
Finnish elementary school pragrammes
and books contain topics which fit the lithuanian ones, that’s why Mikrolinna’s made software – Math King (5th-10th
grades) is the perfect addition to our school books, asistant for teachers not
only for organising independent students’ practice, but even checking, and
rating their skills. The software can be used in English, because math is a
subject which works the same in all languages. Now, due to IBN (International
Business Network), programme is localized to lithuanian langage and it can be
used by every lithuanian student or teacher. Altough there is no translation
for similar math digital workbook – MKP which is great for elementary schools.
The programme is great because it can be used not only for studying the current
topic, but also for previous ones. MKP has a clear sturcture, exersizes are
given in topics. It’s also easy to use.
It can be used in various ways:
- for whole class – independent
practice, forming skills, rating, self-rating.
- for not motivated
students – studying by computer, oportunity to improve.
- For students who’re
having difficulities studying – remember and re-study any previous topic,
or type of exersize.
- Skilled students –
study independently, using all capabilities, and individual difficulity
level.
Every
student registers individualy. He can track its own progress. Teacher has the
rights to change, difference, individualize, get reports about students work
and progress.
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All topics are listd in the main
window. Every one of them Has its own sub-topics. Every sub-topic test is
made from 10 to 20 exersizes, which changes every single time the test window
is opened. Exersizes are listed from the least difficult to the most
difficult, while also displaying similar exersizes, so student could improve
his skills. For example 7th-8th grades topics related
to multi-participants contain even 19 different exersize complects. Exersizes
are different types. |
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In the first of fifteen given
tasks, student can choose from one of the given answers. The correct answer
has to be checked by clicking the mouse. If mistake is made the selected
answer becomes pink and the help button begins blinking. If two mistakes are
made, you can’t correct yourself
anymore, the correct answer is displayed, for which the student gets no
points. In the bottom of the screen the progress bar displays the percent of
the exersizes done, while upper right corner displays the percent of the
exersizes done correctly. That’s rating in the scale of 100. |
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When the blinking button is
clicked, help window appears. The help window provides detailed explanations how to solve the exersize. In
this picture we can see the help window for equation. Everything is provided
with helf of animation: nubers and variables move, jump from one side of
equation to another, even the changement of the signs to the opposite.
Animated help like this one is available in all the topics. It can be used to
teach a new topic, remember an old one, or for studying all by yourself.
Teachers can ask students to comment on the actions they see, analize them
and provide conclusions. |
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To ease the work in more difficult
cases, software provides examples, remembers the main rules, explains how
tocorrectly type the answer. It can be typed by keyboard or using mouse, to
click the buttons In the software window. Buttons update accordingly to the
exersize requirements, which makes it easy for students to type in the
answers. Exersizes can be skipped, and
solved later. Tools also include calculator.
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In some cases student is given
squared page, which can be used to solve the exersize just as in the notebook,
and after typing it into the answer field. After every correctly given answer
an encouraging sentense is displayed, which makes studying funnier and also
motivates the student. There’s an idea to itnegrate math to English language
lessons. Exersizes contain a lot of illustrations, diagrams, sketches, which
are enchanted with lively drawings. |
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After finishing all the exersizes
of the selected test, software provides the results. It lists the number of
correctly provided answers at first attempt, 2nd attempt and wrong
answers. Students results are saved, and it can be checked by the teacher
later on. After fnishing the test again, the results are compared, and
average results can be also seen, that’s a way to be aware of students
progress. It motivates student to be responsible for his results, participate
in the process of studyingm rate new mathematical skills and abilities. |
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There’s a variety of exercizes,
which contain all 5th-10th grade math topics. This
programme improves the main, and special math abilities. While orking with
it, student improves mathematical way of thinking, comunicating, problem
solving, ability to study independently skills, and the interest in math is
being raised. |
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.MKP Math King exercize systems fit 5th-10th
grades math programme. The figures and calculations.
Writing the real numbers, comparison of the number of delay on line, the
rounding of the places mentioned, arithmetic
operations with these numbers. |
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The organizement of a lesson
depends on its goals and type. If new topic is being explained, computers can
be used, projectors, or interactive board. Practice lesson can be done in IT
class, where all the students work independently and individualy. It’d be great,
if students could use the software at home. It would become the best tool of
practice for tests, additional studying, improving weak spots, studying after
being sick, missed out. Program would be perfect for studying remontely or in
virtual environment. |
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The
program offers extensive integration with other subjects
dummy options: |
