Apps for Math That Go Beyond the iPad

I resisted the urge to post on April 1st thinking it would be taken as another April Fools joke. (Not that I'm above doing that, it just wasn't my purpose this time.)  Today, I am sharing about some virtual math tools that go beyond one device. They are not locked into needing an iPad or other tablet, but can also be used on computers, laptops, and smartphones as well.

Even though my examples will come mainly from The Math Learning Center, this is not a plug for one particular company's apps because there are many others that work across devices the same way. Some other "device agnostic" tools can be found from NearPod, Kahoot, Socrative, Worldbook Online*, DiscoveryEducation*, ReWordify, PebbleGo*, and more. 

To find the Math Learning Centers apps, you can either go to their main website, click on the "Resources" link, and then click "Free Apps" in the blue box or follow this direct link, http://catalog.mathlearningcenter.org/apps .

*Paid subscription required for these tools.

This app/web app is a virtual 10-frame manipulative set.  It has more flexibility than a normal 10-frame. First, there are more frames to choose - 5 frame, 10 frame, 20 frame, 100 frame, or build your own up to 144 boxes in the frame.  There are 7 different pieces that can be any one of 5 different colors. I have used this for several different standards in math across different grade levels. 

• Use it to build models of numbers for comparing number pairs. Click the "Open Drawing Tools" button,, and draw the words or symbols for >, <, or =. 
• Use the frames to build fractions of a set and show equivalent fractions.
• Decompose numbers by build a frame with that number, then duplicating it and filling with 2 different color of counters.
• Use it for arrays and partitions to build multiplication and division concepts.

The "Add Math Expression" button,, can be used to record the math sentence on the app.

This app/web app is an interactive number line, but is not limited to just 0-10. The scale can be adjusted to 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 25s, 100s, or even a custom number.  The numbers can be removed entirely or covers can be used to hide numbers in the sequence.