Tech to Show Your Thinking in Math
Tools you can use to demonstrate your thought processes
Technology to Demonstrate Thinking
There are numerous web apps and tools available to educators and students. These apps and tools can allow the users to explain their thought processes as they engage in problem solving. These tools allow users the freedom to capture and share the unique and varied processes that occur inside their minds as they solve a problem. No longer are we limited to pen and paper to justify or explain thinking, now we can capture though in pictures, diagrams, videos, animations, audio recordings, and other imaginative ways. Below are a few examples of tools that can be used to capture thought processes.
Screen Capture, Photos, and Videos on your Device
Screen Capture
Most devices have a screen capture feature built-in. This allows you to capture whatever is on your screen as a photo which can later be used in other apps like the Interactive Whiteboards or Annotation apps explained below. Or if what was on the screen is the full explanation of your thoughts, that screen captured photo can be shared via email or uploaded to the cloud or even posted in a blog, or Facebook or Twitter.
Photos
The camera on your device can be a powerful tool to capture your thoughts if you are using manipulatives or showing real life examples. Simply take a picture and then either use other apps to help explain your thought process or share the picture the same ways that were mentioned for the Screen Capture feature.
Videos
If individual photos are not enough, use the video feature on your device to capture a live demonstration of the manipulatives you are using or the motions of the real life example that shows the solution to the problem. The video camera on your device will capture audio commentary as well so you can both show and tell about the thought processes involved to solve the problem. Similar to pictures, the videos can then be shared or uploaded or posted. Some apps, like Explain Everything, will even allow you to annotate on top of the video.
Interactive Whiteboards
Interactive Whiteboard Apps allow you to write, draw, and annotate over pictures or on the blank canvas of the Whiteboard. Most allow you to record an audio explanation of the visuals you have created on your whiteboard, so others can hear as well as see your thought process. This will allow you to walk someone through the steps you used to solve a problem and explain the reasons and logic behind each step.
Explain Everything ($2.99)
Basic drawing and text tools but allows you to import photos, videos, files and even web pages to annotate on top of. Allows you some ability to edit your recordings. Export as images, PDF, or video with ease to a wide variety of places including Dropbox, Evernote, YouTube, or even your Camera Roll.
Download the Explain Everything iPad app
Educreations (Free)
Available as an app or a Web 2.0 tool. Basic drawing and text tools with the ability to import photos to annotate on top of. Allows you a selection of backgrounds to write on including lined paper and graph paper. Once finished you can keep your lesson private or share it with your class, students or the whole world. Be sure to check out the featured lessons created by other users.
Download the Educreations iPad app
Show Me (Free)
Very basic drawing tools with a wide variety of colors to choose from. Allows you to import photos from your Camera Roll to annotate on top of. Be sure to check out the lessons created by other users.
Download the ShowMe iPad app
Doceri (Free)
Has a wide variety of drawing tools and many different backgrounds including graph paper and maps. Import pictures from your Camera Roll or Camera to annotate on top of. It also has advanced editing functions for your recording. Allows you to export as images or as PDFs and even link to your YouTube account.
Download the Doceri iPad app
ScreenChomp (Free)
Basic drawing tools with a range of colors available. Allows you to add a photo or file from Drop box as a background to annotate over top of. Saves your recording to the web and allows you to keep it private or share with others you provide a link to.
Download the ScreenChomp iPad app
BaiBoard (Free)
Includes text, lines, arrows, call-out bubbles and even some symbols along with the standard drawing pen. Allows you to import images as well as PDFs and even maps to annotate on top of. Does not record voice but it does allow you to collaborate with others by creating a "Meet for Collaboration" that can be passcode protected if desired. Allows you to export as an image or PDF to a wide variety of places, including Dropbox, Evernote, or your Camera Roll.
Download the BaiBoard iPad app
Math Apps
Some apps have been specifically designed to help you perform math tasks. Each application has its own function and would be used for different purposes. These math apps can allow you to focus on solving the problem and not worry about how to record your thoughts. By combining these apps with the screen capture feature on your device, the math can be captured and shared.
Virtual Manipulatives (Free)
Allows you to visualize and compare decimals, percent or fractions. This is an easy way to demonstrate understanding of proportional reasoning. You can draw on top of the manipulatives you drag onto the work surface and you can save your work to your photo album.
Download the Virtual Manipulative iPad app
MyScript Calculator/ MathPad (Free)
Both of these apps convert your handwritten math (using your finger or a stylus) into text numbers. Essentially, they work like the scrap paper you might use as you work through a problem, but they instantly turn your jot notes into legible text. MyScript Calculator will also calculate the solution just as a regular calculator would. You can then copy or email the results or use the screenshot feature on your device to capture your work. MathPad does not calculate the solution but it allows you to export your work in various formats. MathPad is a helpful tool to use for solving equations.
Download the MyScript Calculator iPad app
Download the MathPad iPad app
Desmos (Free)
This is a graphing calculator app. It allows you to graph functions, create function tables, explore transformations, plot points, and animate your graphs. Once you have completed your graphs you can use the screenshot feature on your device to capture your work.
Download the Demos iPad app
Annotation Apps
Annotation apps are great if you just want to jot down a few handwritten notes. Most allow you to annotate over top of pictures, files, and/or PDFs. They are similar to interactive whiteboard apps without the ability to record while you are writing or drawing. These tools would allow you to do what you normally would do with pen and paper but can be shared easily and quickly.
Skitch (Free)
Allows you to quickly and easily make simple annotations on top of pictures. Draw circles or shapes for emphasis or use arrows to draw attention to specific features, you can also add text or symbols. Once complete you can share with other apps or save the images for use later.
Download the Skitch iPad app
Bamboo Paper (Free)
Works just like regular paper to capture your notes, sketches or drawings with the added bonus of being able to include images from your photo roll and then being able to share it with other apps or save it to your photos. It also allows you to use different types of paper like graph paper, dot paper, lined paper or blank paper.
Download the Bamboo Paper iPad app
Notability ($2.99)
Allows you to annotate on top of pictures, PDF's, and even word documents or PowerPoint. You can also record while you take notes and playback what was said while that part of the note was being written. It also allows you to search and organize your notes.
Download the Notability iPad app