Richard D. Solomon's Blog on Mentoring Jewish Students and Teachers: Web tools and resources for teachers working with students with challenges in mathematics

Monday, June 4, 2012

Web tools and resources for teachers working with students with challenges in mathematics

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss web tool and resources for teachers working with students with challenges in mathematics.

Note: In no case should this blog be construed as a major or primary resource on special education.

Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has a interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads. Given parental and school approval, and the development of specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance instruction as well.

Note: Although the web tools and resources described below can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join.

Note: The web tools and resources listed below can be used in both a physical and virtual Judaic Studies classroom.

Web resources and tools for students who have challenges with mathematics from http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2009/09/07/100-useful-tools-for-special-needs-students-educators/

• Webmath: With just a few clicks, students can get answers and step-by-step study help for math problems.

• Internet Lessons in Mathematics: The University of Washington has developed this helpful interactive math site for learning geometry and more.

• Visually Impaired Calculator: This big-print calculator is web-based and easy to use.

• Math Card Games for Special Education Learners: Here you’ll find math card games and activities that help special education learners practice their skills.

• Math Made Easy: Math Made Easy features tools and lessons for students who struggle with math.

• Math Games: These interactive math games use tangrams, spatial learning techniques, and more to provide a multisensory and interactive environment.

• TouchMath: TouchMath uses multisensory, interactive systems to help young students learn math.

• MathTrax: NASA’s graphing and mathematics learning tool accommodates blind and low vision users, too.

• Education World Math Center: Find creative learning techniques and lessons like math raps, the Mathnasium and other tools for alternative math education.

Here are additional web tools and resources to assist students who have math challenges