Thursday 19 December 2013

The Role of Interactive Multimedia Tutorials in Helping Kids Learn Algebra:

Algebra is a subject that is fundamental to every aspect of mathematics, which is why Grade1 students need to be introduced to it from the very beginning. However, Practice Math, even at its easiest can quickly become dull and dreary for kids who would rather be out in the playground than stay cooped up in a class room crunching numbers. Fortunately, the way technology has progressed in leaps and bounds in the last twenty or thirty years has enabled teachers to create dynamic and robust teaching strategies that enable kids to Learn math much more effectively than it was previously believed possible. These strategies have changed the very definition of the word ‘classroom’, which no longer applies to a room filled with desks and chair with a chalkboard at the front.


Interactive multimedia tutorials have forever changed the way algebra, or any other subject for that matter, is taught in classrooms. No longer do teachers have to put everything on the chalk board for kids to note down and stare at. No more do Grade1 pupils have to stare at boring textbook illustrations in order to learn a new concept. Mathematical concepts are for more effectively conveyed through specialized software that gives dynamic illustrations of every concept possible. Animations that can be altered by students to see the effects have drastically reduced the amount of effort required on part of the teacher and the students in order to come to terms with a tricky new idea – and math does have many of those. These interactive animations are available everywhere on the internet for free and since most schools have internet and computer lab facilities, the teachers should have no trouble in bringing their classes to life through the power of modern technology.



But things have progressed even further than interactive flash videos – today, entire educational games can be provided to Grade1 students to test and hone their Algebra skills. The problem with children is that they are inherently repelled by the thought of study. There are exceptions to this rule of course, but speaking about the majority, it is impossible to make a child actually like study – or at least study as they perceive it. On the other hand, kids of all ages love to play games and challenges – which is exactly what these educational games do: they provide the students with a tough enough challenge to get them interested, stir up an air of competition through their intricate rewards and rankings system, and pretty soon, everyone in class is trying to beat the high score. The pupils have fun while they learn mathematics, something that would have been impossible even as recently as three decades ago. The best part is that this software evaluate and create meaningful results regarding the performance of the students in the activities – which means the teacher can quickly analyze the progress of their class without having to sift through heaps of quizzes and tests.

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