Apps for mathematical and geometrical learning

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Hello everyone! 

To start this blog, I felt that I had to do so by introducing to you one of the resources that children are more used to: apps. Nowadays, learners have a constant access to technological devices, from mobile phones and tablets to computers. They are one of the most famous resources of entertainment in every age, and they have many positive points in what refers to children’s development if used correctly in educational situations. To highlight the most important ones: we can mention: 

  • They promote motivation and enjoyment: apps are something interactive, in which the actions and manipulation of the user decide the progression made. Because of that, using apps     geometrical learning could be done in a much more appealing way, not only in the visual aspect but also by providing the opportunity of discovering different views of two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements, that constitute the center of geometrical knowledge. Basically, apps are dynamical resources that maintain the students’ interest and are based in the interaction of the user, causing great results in children and young people’s engagement in learning activities based in apps. 
  • They allow the discovery of contents and the development of abilities in very variated topics and areas: there are apps whose main objective is function as an educational tool. They are designed to give users varied knowledge to learn and make them develop different actions to improve several skills. Like this, relation to geometry, these apps introduce them to the different definitions and concepts of the geometrical area and present them in situations where users use abilities like reasoning and logic to deal with them.
  • They can be used in any time and place: as apps are usually used in devices that can easily be carried with you anywhere, they allow children to use them and learn from them whatever the situation is. Moreover, as geometry is something very interconnected with real life and special orientation, this characteristic gives apps a strong advantage in what refers to significance in learning and relationship with daily life. 

It is a given that new generations are more digital natives, as they grow surrounded by them in a daily basis. For that reason, as teachers we must implement them in our lessons to provide a significative learning that they can relate to in every ambit of their lives. Focusing on geometry, I would like to share with you some apps that can be used in lessons to promote an enjoyable learning of geometry in a non-traditional but efficient and attractive way: 

  • ARTRIC: this app is curricular based, meaning that it deals with the contents taught in Primary Education. With it, wit is possible to see, manipulate and project in real life different polyhedrons and access to information about each of them. Moreover, there are also activities available that are focused on learning by competences and the attention to multiple intelligences. I feel this app is one of the best options to be chosen for learning in the classroom, as not only it is very complete to carry on the curriculum but also satisfies perfectly different learning needs and promotes active, enjoyable learning in children. 

 

  • Geometry Calculator: to help students with basics calculations, this app is a great choice. With it, several basic ones can be done, essentially areas and volumes of the principal geometrical figures and bodies that exist. When they use it, they can visually see the process and the results, being like this a great way to make them used to the different formulas (that can be seen too) and develop the mathematical reasoning to apply their knowledge in the various situations that they can encounter ahead of them.



  • Arloon Geometry: it is a great option to relate geometry with real life. The main feature that it has is the access to AR (Augmented Reality), which allows users to see, manipulate and project geometrical bodies just in front of them in real life. It is really helpful to make students use to three-dimensional figures, as it can be quite difficult to explain and understand these types of concepts that cannot be accurately represented in a two-dimensional way. Like these, geometry is also related to real life, as they can compare what they see daily with the objects visualized through the screen. In addition, there is also information key to properly learn about the geometrical bodies and activities that aim to reinforce this learning, making this quite a complete resource to implement in the lessons. 



  • Geoboard: this app presents a great opportunity to learn in a game-like situation. By using strings to form geometrical forms, children will be able to work geometrical contents such as area and perimeter in a very practical way. Taking into account that the best way to learn is by doing, the fact that students manipulate the strings to create their own figures is a great way of involving them in the process and get significant engagement. Also, just as it seems like a game, introducing it in class will not only be beneficial in the educational way, but it will also promote interest in geometry both in school and daily life. 

      
     Although we just talked about some apps, there are many more. Our duty as teachers is to research and look for the ones that best fit our objectives and the needs/capacities of our students. I hope you learnt a lot and found this information useful. See you next time!


      References:

https://www.wikiduca.com/blog/6-beneficios-de-las-aplicaciones-infantiles

 

https://andro4all.com/aplicaciones/apps-utiles-para-aprender-geometria-con-tu-movil

 

https://www.educaciontrespuntocero.com/recursos/apps-de-matematicas-tablet-ios-android/


https://saposyprincesas.elmundo.es/ocio-en-casa/apps-videojuegos/herramientas-para-aprender-geometria/



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