[MACEP] Open Source Math and Language Arts Software

[JoAnn O. Rachor]

Randy,

Geometer's Sketchpad from Key Curriculum Press is on the top of my list as
it can be used with student from Grade 4 - College.
A spreadsheet program such as Excel or Open Office is also ideal.

Does your current Math textbook series offer an online version?  Many of
them include a host of interactivity tools that are matched with the
appropriate section of the text.  Often they also include videos as well
which are ideal for a student to review if they have missed a day at school
or just need to see a different way to approach a problem.  And best of all
students with internet access at home won't need to haul their textbook back
and forth every day.

Here is a link for the Oregon Council of Teachers of Mathematics web site
Math Links page which has many appropriate math resources as well.  If the
list is too intimidating just look at the NCTM Illuminations site
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ which has great online activities.

Remember purchasing a software program or giving a teacher a set of links is
only worthwhile if the teacher is ready to use them.  Consider supporting a
teacher in taking advantage of professional development opportunities where
they can learn how to use some of these and let them drive what they want to
use with students.  OCTM offers lots of options for professional development
with the best one being the Northwest Math Conference which will be in
Portland on Oct. 9-11, 2008. Scholarships are available to help defray the
cost of attending. http://www.octm.org/47thNWMathConf.html  Membership to
OCTM ($25/year) brings the Nationally recognized publication, The Oregon
Mathematics Teacher (TOMT), with ready to go classroom activities six times
a year.  http://www.octm.org/membership.html  If you have a new teacher then
there is even a free membership.

Another great way to provide a way for a teacher to use technology in the
classroom is to invest in a coach/mentor who already does this well.  Many
great teachers and their schools would be open to having a guest teacher
visit and see how to incorporate more technology into instruction.  OCTM has
Area reps in every geographical area of Oregon who would be a helpful
contact to set something like this up for a teacher.

Hope this helps,

JoAnn

> -----Original Message-----
> From: macep-bounces at macep.net 
> [mailto:macep-bounces at macep.net] On Behalf Of Randy Cummings
> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 10:14 AM
> To: macep at macep.net
> Subject: [MACEP] Open Source Math and Language Arts Software
> 
> I'm need a resource for known good Math and Language Arts 
> software for Middle School students.
> 
> Are you aware of any?
> 
> Thanks in advance!!
> 
> 
> Randy Cummings
> Technology Coordinator
> Portland Adventist Elementary School
> 
> "The best dividends on the labor invested have invariably 
> come from seeking more knowledge rather than more power." 
> The Wright Brothers
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