Fractions

Overview

Curator: Jessica Johnson

 

Link to Tech Tool: http://www.math-play.com/simplifying-fractions-game/simplifying-fractions-game.html

 

Brief Description of Tech Tool: This tech tool engages students in simplifying fractions through an interactive soccer game. Every time a student correctly simplifies a fraction they get to kick a ball. This game is fun, engaging, and helps students build their confidence through practice.

 

Technical & Cost considerations: This tech tool is a free website, with no registration required. It works on both Apple and Windows operating systems. It also can be used on a Smart Board without any technical constraints.

 

Evaluation

Description of Learning Activity: This tech tool allows students to individually practice simplifying fractions through an entertaining game.

 

1. Learning Activity Types

• LA-Practice - practicing for fluency

 

2. What mathematics is being learned?

This tech tool lets students practice simplifying fractions, which is a skill involved in many other fraction concepts.

• NCTM Standards:

  • NCTM-N&0-understand numbers - understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems;

  • NCTM-N&0-compute fluently - compute fluently and make reasonable estimates

• Proficiency Strands:

  • PS-procedural fluency: skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately

 

3. How is the mathematics represented?

The math in this tech tool is represented numerically, there are no visual representations of the fractions.

 

4. What role does technology play?

The advantage of technology in this tech tool is that it highly motivates students to do well because they get to kick the soccer ball each time they simplify a fraction correctly.

• Affordances of Technology for Supporting Learning:

  • Computing & Automating- Students receive automatic feedback if they have chosen the correct answer.

 

5. How does the technology fit or interact with the social context of learning?

This tech tool would best be used for individual practice in the computer lab. It could also be used at home for students to strengthen their skills. This tool does not support collaboration.

 

6. What do teachers and learners need to know?

The technology in this simplifying fraction game is easy to use, with short and simple directions. Students just need to click on the answer. However, students must already know how to simplify fractions. This tool allows students to practice, but does not provide any academic support.