Get Moving with Motion Math

Motion Math is a revolutionary, movement-based learning app and winner of the Editor's Choice Award for Excellence in Design from Children's Technology Review.  All I can say is, WOW!  The first game in this series centers around fractions. The learner is asked to equate different representations of fractions by bouncing a sphere to the correct place on the number line.  In order to do this, you must actually tilt your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch in the direction where you desire the ball to go.  You must think quickly and accurately to obtain the best outcome!

This game was originally developed by the Stanford School of Education and embodies their research in the area of cognition.  Simply stated, they found that connecting a person's physical body to abstract concepts creates a more positive, successful learning outcome.  Motion Math allows the learner to interact with difficult concepts by connecting learning with game play. 

As a math educator, I know fractions are often a concept many students find difficult to grasp.  This app provides practice in making connections between different representations allowing the learner the opportunity to build a solid foundation.  I highly recommend this as a fun alternative to traditional math drills.  Our third grader said he "wished he could do this for math every day."  Our fifth grader agreed by saying she found the game "addicting" and an "fun way to improve her fraction skills."  Motion Math is an excellent way to integrate technology in the classroom or learning environment while giving students a meaningful, yet fun, math experience.

[Nano]School Kids: Reshaping Education With Mobile Devices

There are many reports surfacing about the state of the American educational system.  Some suggest U.S. students are falling drastically behind other nations especially in the content areas of math and science.  Others say we are in the midst of an educational crisis.  Many school systems throughout the country are facing devastating cutbacks due to state budget deficits.  In addition, there is debate over educational reform.  Despite these challenges, educators must find ways to prepare students to meet the demands of an uncertain future.

There are many grassroots efforts to address these needs.  Ranging from the classroom teacher to entire districts, educators are searching for ways to bring our classrooms into the twenty-first century.  I know this sounds crazy being that we are already a decade into this century.  However, the atmosphere of most classrooms and the attitude of many administrators are not drastically different from classrooms twenty years ago.  We are living in a global market.  Our students must find ways to compete with people all over the world not just from around their own cities or states.

Technology, creativity, collaboration and innovation dominate the workplace of the future, yet many of our classrooms stifle these traits by emphasizing testing.  As a result, there are many groups and individuals looking to promote change.  John Popadiuk leads the Nanoschool Kids Project based in Chicago, IL.  They seek to redesign and reinvent classroom learning through successful integration of technology.  They focus on incorporating mobile devices to engage students and enhance learning.  His work has been featured in a variety of media outlets including Wired magazine and the New York Times. 

The NanoSchool Kids Homepage showcases their current apps and gives a sneak peak into future releases.  Among my favorites are ZooRound, Matheroids and their kinetic art creator, Space Crayons.  These apps are engaging and make learning, dare I say, FUN!  Mobile learning devices like the iPad or the iPod touch give educators a new platform to structure daily lessons, ignite creativity and excite learning.

Frank Stallwood, a Jacksonville businessman and director of the Alliance for World Class Education, states, "The time is now for us to redefine our educational system."  We need to meet students where they are and bring out their best.  There is nothing to fear about utilizing technology in the classroom except the fear of what happens if we don't.  Today's students are living in a world dominated by collaboration and ingenuity.  Businesses constantly utilize technology in the workplace and to connect instantly with the rest of the world.  As educators, we need to bring this same element into the classroom.  In closing, thank you to the "thinktank" at the NanoSchool Kids project and to the many other educational app developers for shaping the future of education.