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There are a multitude of websites dedicated to teaching of mathematics. They offer resources, ideas for improved teaching and student enrichment opportunities. This report examines five representative websites designed for Algebra and Geometry. The review will address several key questions. The information reported will center around: (1) Purpose, (2) Category, (3) Classroom use, (4) Salient points, and (5) Cost. 1. Kuta Software (http://www.kutasoftware.com/) There is no cost to use this site. This software covers all the mathematics subjects from pre-Algebra to Algebra 2/Trigonometry. These courses are normally taught in High School to 9th to 11th graders. In addition to the free information, users can sign up for a free 14-day installation. That form of the program allows greater flexibility in the preparation of custom worksheet and lesson plans. These documents are fully editable in terms of content and length. In addition, the answer key is prepared for the problems included. Without installing the software, the user can print over a hundred different worksheets each designed for a specific topic. The complexity of these range from very simple such as the naming of decimal places (pre-algebra) to very complex such as graphing exponential functions (Algebra 2/Trigonometry). This software falls in the category of Drill and Practice because it offers worksheets and other supporting documents for use as class or homework. The site is very easy to use and it has sufficient material that it is fun to explore. I have used it multiple times and recommend it highly to anyone looking for supplementary material in the subjects listed. I have printed multiple worksheets and lesson plans. The worksheets work well as homework for a specific lesson because they present diverse problems on a single mathematical concept. The repetition reinforces the idea or problem solving technique presented in class. The ease of use and the ample supply of material for various levels of high school mathematics make this a very good resource. The first screen is clear and user-friendly. It allows you to select the course. Then the next screen lets you select the level of material desired. The worksheets print with or without the answer key. Of course, the best thing is that it is absolutely free to the user. It can run on most platforms. It work perfectly in Apple and PC units. I have run the program on both Windows XT and Windows 7. The program does not specific hardware requirements. The only disadvantage to this site is that the worksheets cannot be modified nor the problems they contain can be selected. For that the user has to download the software for the 14-day trial 2. Math.com (http://www.math.com/) There is no cost to use this site. This site labels itself //The World f Math Online.// Whether it encompasses the entire world of mathematics or not, it is still a worthwhile source of information for math teachers. The material contained ranges in courses from basic Math (middle school) to Calculus (12th grade) and is intended for teachers, parents and students. For parents, it has suggestions for helping the student with school work, ideas for family math activities, home schooling and recommendations with students needing special help. For teachers, the site contains sections on lesson plans and worksheets, resources (like current topics) and the new standards. It also has dozens of suggestions for recreational math and the problem of the week. This site has provided me with many tools for teaching. The standards section is very strong and diverse. It describes NCTM standards in detail, it has an annotated paper on the development of standards and several case studies of the implementation of the standards in the classroom. The formulas and tables is a reference of dozens of functions used in almost every lesson. The test preparation section provided me with pertinent and current information about the SAT and ACT. I have used the study tips ideas to help students improve their studying skills. In several months of use, I have not fully utilized all the tools available in this site because of the large amount of information included;. In terms of thoroughness, breath and quality of information, this site is without equal. It is easy to use, versatile and flexible. And with all this, it is still free. The only concern I have is that the worksheets for anything beyond algebra are limited in diversity. It can run on most platforms. It work perfectly in Apple and PC units. I have run the program on both Windows XT and Windows 7. The program does not specific hardware requirements.

3. Your Teacher. (http://www.yourteacher.com/) Cost is $69.50/month or $199.50/yr. The site claims to be “//Your personal math teacher inside every lesson.”// The tools are fully designed for math teachers. There are over 1000 lessons, complete with graphics, examples, and videos. They also provide a test, worksheet and notes for the lesson. The videos include a screen than shows the demonstration being described and is fully interactive. The lessons are also keyed to the pertinent sections and chapters in the textbooks, The pre-tests are designed to test basic skills preceding each course. The test preparation courses include all standardized tests including SAT, ACT and over 12 more. The range of material covers pre-algebra to algebra 2 (grades 9 to 11). The electronic lessons are very well prepared, with multiple options and adjustable to the students’ needs. They would appear to be of great help to any teacher looking for the best way to present a topic. The diagnostic pre-test is also thorough and a good assessment of basic skills. I have employed tests similar to these before the start of new topics. I have not used the website because I have not registered. The website is very well designed, user friendly and extremely versatile. The standardized test material is great for anyone teaching or preparing for a test. The only disadvantage is that this is fully an on-line site. If the teacher does not have a way to project the lesson on the board it serves no purpose. It can run on most platforms. It work perfectly in Apple and PC units. I have run the program on both Windows XT and Windows 7. The program does not specific hardware requirements. 4. Algebra Tutorial (http://www.mathisradical.com/) Cost is $39.99 for downloading the site’s information. This is a student directed site, providing the problem, the solution and the explanation of how the problem is solved. The scope of the topics covered exceeds that implied by the site’s name. It ranges from Algebra 1 (9th graders) to statistics (12th graders). As the name also implies, this is a tutorial type of software. It allows the student to select a type of mathematical function to study. The program then provides a series of screen where the program is presented, then solved. Lastly, the program provide the option of explaining how the solution was obtained. This includes any manipulations or other functions that were used. This could also be used in the classroom to demonstrate how to solve various equations. The screens are very colorful and would easily draw the attention of the students. Having the computer solve the equation, would free the teacher to provide the discussion of what is happening in the program. This would help those students that learn better by listening than by seeing. At different places in the lesson, this program could provide the solutions to the problems on the board. The switching between whiteboard and the program would break up the lesson in smaller pieces so that the students could better understand. Because it is electronic, in case of any confusion or question, the solution can be regenerated on line anew. This is a good tutorial program. It demonstrates solutions of sample problems. The solutions is broken down in sections to allow for better understanding. These qualities make this a usable program for both students and teacher. The weakness in this program is that it only provides on problem to solve for each type of equation. That limited number of problems for each category make this a less than perfect tutorial. It can run on most platforms. It work perfectly in Apple and PC units. I have run the program on both Windows XT and Windows 7. The program does not specific hardware requirements.

5. Teaching Tools (http://www.teaching-tools.com/index.php) Cost is $19.99/year This is a site for both teachers and parents. It is most suitable for Algebra 1 and basic Geometry students in grades 9th and 10th. This computer software program can be categorized as a drill land practice site as it contains mostly worksheets for student practice. The opening screen allows for members to sign in. Without signing-in as a member, any documents prepared are lined out and unusable. The site allows the user to select either a specific document (such as math table worksheet) or a general section where choices are made to design the document. The choices include level of difficulty, the headings on the document and whether to include the answer key. Beside the worksheets for Algebra and Geometry, the site contains much more help for either the teacher or the parent. Topics include Classroom Management and how parent and teachers should communicate. Each of these shows several pages of techniques on what to do to succeed in both activities. I have used this site on many occasions. The editable graph paper is very usable when asking students to graph equations using a particular section of a graph paper sheet. I have also used the information about Classroom management and talking to parents. As a new teacher, these documents were very helpful to guide me in these sensitive teaching tasks. I have also suggested this site to the parents of my students so that they can support the educational process. This site has many advantages for both teachers and parents. Math teachers can use the many worksheets available. The parents can also use those, but they can also take advantage of the many tips on helping the student to study, do homework or read. As a teacher, I find the selection of material very restrictive in terms of course diversity. It only contains material for Algebra 1 and some for Geometry, but none for Algebra 2. It can run on most platforms. It work perfectly in Apple and PC units. I have run the program on both Windows XT and Windows 7. The program does not specific hardware requirements. In conclusion, this report has examined five computer program designed for high school mathematics. They range in cost, their intended audience, the ease of use the depth and variety of the material and the levels supported. In selecting any of these or others, it is important to determine what is the need been addressed, how easy does the program have to be, how much is to be spent. It is also prudent to reexamine the availability of new mathematic instructional software as new ones are always added and old ones are revised. In any case, these programs add a dimension to mathematical learning that would enrich any lesson. Author: Pedro Canellas Date posted: 06/07/2011