Mathematics Textbooks Technology Used in Mathematics Textbooks

Mathematics Textbooks

Technology used in Mathematics Textbooks

Mathematics probably frustrates more students than any other subject in their course load. It seems that a logical, left brain is something that must be inborn and many students are not gifted with that natural ability. This means that there need to be some simple methods by which every student can be made to understand mathematical concepts. While many different teaching methods have been attempted with varying levels of success, none have been completely successful. However, with the advent of technology, this task is made simpler for the math teacher. Technology allows the student to work the problem successfully while helping the individual understand the application of the problems. Technology can be used via a text itself, or a teacher can utilize a text which offers parallel instruction via a companion web site. The following report will discuss how technology is used by the text Seventh Grade Math is Easy! So Easy and a portion of the website at math archives.

The text in question was devised as a new method for teaching math by its author Max Rock (2006). Rock has published several books covering different grade levels of mathematics instruction along with other comparable subjects. This method uses a text that is highly integrated with the web to make sure that students have the benefits of the appropriate level of instruction and the internet to help them understand the concepts.

In general, the text follows a simple pattern outlining the topics as they would naturally occur in a seventh grade classroom. The author terms these as the standards that are being established for the seventh grade across the country and he has divided the book accordingly. The book has five sections which correspond to these standards: "seventh grade math standards lessons; algebra functions; measurement geometry; statistics, data analysis, and probability; and, mathematical reasoning" (Rock, 2006). These five sections are simply constructed to give the student the basic knowledge that they will need in all areas of knowledge they will be expected to demonstrate. He has geared the text more toward practice than instruction, which allows the student to learn at a pace that suits them.

The full text is available for free online along with a web site which gives the student access to the author and to a other helps that they may need with the curriculum. The website offers similar books which go more in depth into each subject and help the student to apply the lessons.

Both the text and the website offer extensive practice tests for the student to help them gain a master-level understanding of the content. The largest problem that most texts have is too much content and too little application of that content. Rock (2006) has completely changed the way that texts are traditionally written in several aspects. The book is broken down into the five major sections, and the book is practice heavy. From reading the introduction it seems that the author does not believe in the traditional method of instruction. He wants to build the confidence of the learners and help them to fully absorb the content. With this method he hopes to encourage life-long learning.

Math Archives Website

Students do not look at mathematics as a competition sport despite the schools that have lettered "Mathletes." It is not necessarily a subject that breeds creativity, but it can be a great battle ground for the athletically challenged.

The website math archives has a section which is devoted exclusively to "Mathematics Contests and Competitions" (Math Archives, 2010). This section of the website is broken down into competitions that are geared at college-level learners, high school, middle school, and elementary school students. The offerings are age appropriate and there are enough different types that any student could find something to challenge themselves.

The college competitions range from national contests which challenge individuals or teams of students, to invitational's in which students go to a central location to compete against others. Most of them are team competitions that use several different levels of mathematical knowledge to thoroughly test the groups.

The elementary through secondary contests are, again, geared toward students at all different levels of mathematical achievement. The American Regions Mathematics League is a National Spelling Bee type competition where student teams of 15 individuals test their combined skill against those from other regions of the country. There are also math Olympiads among students from the United States and abroad, and competitions in which a student takes a test, under the supervision of a qualified teacher, and mails in the results.

The students who engage in these competitions are able to experience a level of mathematics that most people do not know exists. Students are generally bogged down by the difficulty of the concepts that they are required to learn and there is rarely an outlet for them that is adventurous and through which they learn. It is difficult for a teacher to include practical mathematics curriculum which teaches a love of the subject while they are also trying to teach students what they will need to know for standardized testing requirements.

These contests allow the teacher to give the students something that will heighten their appreciation of the subject, and help fuel their competitive juices. Not every student can be a sports star. If a student is not gifted with athletic talent, then they may be able to participate in team and individual competitions which require brain power instead of brawn. Many teachers look for a method of sharing their love for the subject, but it is difficult to do many times. These contests and competitions are designed to give students an outlet that is not in an academic atmosphere and shows them a different side of mathematics.