Thinklets and TI;

Technology for Learning

and Doing Mathematics
Martin van Reeuwijk
Freudenthal Institute
Utrecht University,
Netherlands

RME
technology

examples
the future

Freudenthal Institute (FI)

Research and
Development of
Mathematics Education
Research institute at
Utrecht University
About 30 fulltime
positions
actually working about
50 staff members

Core activities of the FI

Macro- and micro-didactic research;
Curriculum development;
Assessment development, comparative
achievement studies (e.g. PISA);
Research on and development of
educational technology (ICT);
Professional development and teacher
education (bildung);
Organization of and participation in
national and international networks,
conferences

Features and Focus

Primary, secondary, and vocational
education
national and international projects
Integrating research, development and
teacher education activities
Working for and with teachers: journals,
conferences, courses, websites
Philosophy/theory:
Realistic Mathematics Education
(RME)
Methodology: Developmental Research

back

The Dutch Math Ed Microworld

university

math teachers

teacher training
preservice
higher
vocational

publishers
politicians
ministry of
education

student
teacher

teacher training
in service

school inspectors
examination
board

research
curriculum
development

back

Realistic Mathematics Education

a short introduction

Realistic Mathematics Education in short

Start with a context.

Realistic Mathematics Education in short

4
24

Breaking leads to fractions

Realistic Mathematics Education in short

2
4
24 + 24

Chocolate pieces become model for fractions

Realistic Mathematics Education in short

1
4

3
4

Rectangle model for operating with fractions

Realistic Mathematics Education in short

a c ad bc

b d
bd

Vertical
mathematization

Formal mathematics, abstract,

Model for,
preformal,Guided

Solving
problems

reinvention
Model
of,
informal
Horizontal mathematization
,
intuitive
Contexts, problem situations, concrete,
realistic

Characteristics of RME

Starting in contexts
Building on preformal knowledge
Different strategies and answers
Guided reinvention
From model of to model for
Horizontal & vertical mathematization
Intertwining learning strands
Practical value
Meaningful and sense making
back

Technology in
Mathematics Education
different kinds
different purposes

Technology in Mathematics Education

Tools
Models
Games
For Practice
For concept development
For testing, assessment

Learning Environment

Technology in Mathematics Education

Tools

Graphing, solving, calculating

Graphing calculator
APPS (applications),
TI Navigator (network of
calculators)
Real data collection (sensors)
(e.g. EasyData for real
measurements)
Thinklets
On-line web based, user friendly
Many variations possible

Technology in Mathematics Education

Graphing calculator
APPS (applications),
TI Navigator (network)
Real data collection (sensors)
(e.g. EasyData)

Technology in Mathematics Education

Technology in Mathematics Education

Technology in Mathematics Education

Models and Games

Concept building, insight,
didactical
Thinklets

(Electronic) Learning
Environment
Registration, integration,
combination
TI Interactive (or Maple, )

Mathematics as an
human activity;
learning and doing thinklets

Building houses

Thinklets

What are Thinklets

small computer programs that run
over the internet (aka applets)
can make learning mathematics
more fun, more sense making, and
more efficient.
Easy, simple to use, user friendly
Interactive, visual, dynamic
Fit a mathematical topic
Tested in class and improved

Thinklets

Easy, small, feedback

Frog

Solving
Equations

Thinklets

Use of Thinklets
Supporting instructional materials can be
used, on screen or paper (worksheets)
Used in various moment in the teachinglearning process:
exploration, a tool, concept development
(model), practice, assessment, ...

Thinklets

One or many Thinklets

Algebra arrows

Thinklets

Add-on value of thinklets

Fun and motivate students
Work at own level of thinking, possible to
address differences between students
Visual, interactive, dynamic
Focus on concept and model, applet does
calculations
Promotes creativity and self esteem
Provides a model students can fall back on
Feedback and practice are powerful
Webbased: Always and everywhere available

back

a Future of
Technology in
Mathematics Education
(actual) conditions
future device

Future of technology in mathematics education

The conditions
Continuous development and research
Alternatives for (commercial)
publishers paper with textbook series
are becoming available
Students want to move faster than
teacher and textbook, generation gap
Hardware (Internet connection) is no
problem any more, always available
Still transition to ICT-integrated math
ed is hard

Future of technology in mathematics education

The challenge

(for TI, Casio, )

is to develop a device that is:

Handheld, easy to use

On-line, web based
Tool and model
Multi purpose (reference guide,
calculator, word processor, PDA, browser,
phone, music player, camera, )
For fun (games) and school (also fun)

Future of technology in mathematics education

My telephone

More about FI, RME, Thinklets, TI

www.thinklets.nl
www.fi.uu.nl
www.rekenweb.nl
www.wisweb.nl
education.ti.com