Games in the Classroom

I plan on teaching math at the high school level. There are multiple ways that games can help with students logical and creative thinking which is needed in upper division math classes to solve complex proofs. Technology can be used to help students think more creatively and even have quicker responses that can help them think on their feet faster. Games on the Xbox Kinect and Wii help students work together, think creatively, and have quicker reactions. Even though these don’t apply directly to math they are still fun games!

Technology like the Ipad has unique apps specifically focused on math. Apps such as Geometer Sketchpad can help students create figures and play with the properties in the app to learn more about triangles and other types of polygons. This can help students create basic proofs that will eventually help them create logical more difficult proofs. There are also other types of apps that will help students learn basic math and practice their skills at multiplication, division, subtraction, and addition. Even though there are no games like this for the Kinect or the Wii it is possible to create simple games that will help students learn to graph or practice measurements or angles. Games always make learning more enjoyable for students and helps information more memorable.