Michael Borcherds, lead developer of GeoGebra, asked why GeoGebra is successful in the GeoGebra Forum;  I summarized the responses and came up with 15 reasons.  Here are the reasons why GeoGebra has been so successful all these years.

1. It is FREE.
2. It is open source – meaning, it is developed collaboratively by us:programmers, teachers, mathematicians, and users not just a few people.
3. It runs in multiple operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.).
4. It runs in different devices (computers, mobile phones, tablets).
5. It promotes mathematical connections (algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, etc.).
6. It highlights  multiple representations (equations, graphs, tables).
7. It is intuitive, user-friendly, and easy to use.
8. Its files can be easily uploaded to the web as applets.
9. It can be exported to different file formats (png, pdf, eps, etc.).
10. It supports Latex typesetting.
11. It supports spreadsheet, CAS, and 3D (GeoGebra 5.0).
12. It has an elegant appearance and dynamic colors.
13. It has excellent support community.
14. It can be used by elementary school students up to graduate schoolstudents.
15. It is updated frequently.

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2. GeoGebra Institute of California Has a New Website
3. Bill Gets His GeoGebra Trainer Certificate – Anyone Want Some Training?

Here is the link to download  Friday Afternoon Lifesavers – Math Videos from Bill Lombard – ppt.

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2. Bill Gets His GeoGebra Trainer Certificate – Anyone Want Some Training?
3. Math Made Fun – a Video Series for Math Mavens and Future Math Mavens
4. KenKen Presentations at NCTM 2011 Annual Meeting

Here is the link to download  Algebra Problem Solving with the new CC Standards – ppt.

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4. KenKen Player – Now Embedded on mrlsmath
5. How Many Solutions Are There? – Video Part 1, Linear Equations

Embedded KenKen Player

KenKen Player – Now you can play KenKen on the mrlsmath.com website.

Click the following link for the newly released (Beta version) of the online KenKen Player, from the makers of the game that’s catching on in math classes across the U.S.A. Enjoy the experience; it’s a great way to share the game in a classroom of inquiring minds. Please keep in mind that this is a Beta version of the software that’s embedded in my blog; there may be glitches, and if so, please let me know so I can report back to the folks at kenken.com.

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1. KenKen Player – Now at Home on mrlsmath
2. Bill Gets His GeoGebra Trainer Certificate – Anyone Want Some Training?
3. GeoGebra Prim – a Simpler Version of GeoGebra for Younger Students
4. KenKen Presentations at NCTM 2011 Annual Meeting

KenKen 4x4

I’ve begun uploading videos to my new YouTube site,

The aim of my new video site is to focus on the teacher in the classroom by showing techniques, tools, and thoughts that will make teachers more effective with their students. I’m in the process of restyling my other website, www.tttpress.com to include more videos, and Math Video University will be hosting many of these videos as well.

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3. Video – Sum Equals Product Puzzle – Part 1
4. Video – Reverse the Math Puzzle, Part 2: Using 1, 3, and 5
5. Video – Standardized Test Strategy – Working Backwards

The following is a Guest Post from Mike Thimmesch, who writes for Upgradeable. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Long gone are the days when all that was required for math was an abacus and a pencil.  These days, it’s all about graphing calculators, computer programs, and video games.  And while some teachers may find it difficult to keep up with the ever-shifting landscape of technology, it really pays to stay abreast of changes in the field and find ways to utilize these innovations in the classroom.  It shouldn’t come as any surprise that kids raised in an era of unfettered access with a million gadgets at their fingertips would balk at doing things old-school.  So if you want to grab their interest, you’re going to have to learn to speak their language, and you’ll likely find that an interest on your part will lead to equal engagement by students.  But it will require a time investment on your part, so what are the major benefits to be gained?

For starters, the role of a teacher often necessitates continued education.  If you’re not keeping up with current trends, you will find yourself at an immediate disadvantage when it comes to dealing with your students.  So take on the role of the student yourself.  Ask kids what they’re into, how they spend their spare time, and which technologies they find fun and interesting.  Not only will your willingness to learn about their interests surprise them, you may be able to bond with your classroom on a whole new level by allowing them to teach you in return.  And when you begin to integrate their technology into your lessons, you’ll see an even bigger payback.

By finding new ways to update your course and keep it relevant, you will almost certainly discover a renewed interest in mathematics and the possibilities for implementing it through technology.  And your excitement will be readily apparent to your class.  You’ll be connecting with the kids on two very important levels.  For one thing, children are more perceptive than most adults give them credit for.  If you’re bored, they’re bored.  If you put the minimum amount of effort into your lesson plans, they will reciprocate in kind.  Secondly, by taking their likes and dislikes into account, you’re showing that you care about them, something that (sadly) many teachers never bother to do.

As you probably remember from your own childhood, there were a few shining examples of teachers (at least one of whom probably influenced your decision to take up the noble profession) and probably without fail, they engaged you on both an intellectual and a personal level.  They made you see things in new and interesting ways and their enthusiasm for the subject was infectious.  By seeking out ways to bring technology into the classroom, you will not only renew your own feelings of excitement for math, you will also surprise and delight your students.

Of course, the trick is to find the right technology.  Luckily, there are a wide variety of tools at your disposal.  Between hardware, software, and websites devoted to the fusion of mathematics and technology, you’ll have no shortage of ideas.  And paring it down shouldn’t be too difficult.  If you try a few things out in class, you’re going to discover pretty quickly what works and what doesn’t.  And don’t underestimate the value of student input.  Kids have no problem enumerating their likes and dislikes and they’ll let you know when you’re succeeding.

Mike Thimmesch writes for Upgradeable where you can find the right ram and laptop memory to get your computer running like a powerhouse.

Related posts:

1. Math Made Fun – a Video Series for Math Mavens and Future Math Mavens
2. Friday Afternoon Lifesavers – Math Videos from Bill Lombard – ppt
3. Reverse the Math Puzzle Using 2, 3, and 4

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Integrating technological resources for math courses will make lessons and activities exciting for students. They can utilize the internet, computer programs, real world projects, and calculators to create charts, complete math problems, and convert their measurements using the Metric system and Standard system. Technological resources will enhance and enrich the classroom experience no matter what the grade level. There are fractions sites related to each concept with an explanation, practice, and challenging games, real world projects, software, technologically influenced lesson plans, graphing, math practice, problem solving, graphing projects, JAVA tools, as well as math portals, computer sites with math experts available to answer math questions, literature links, as well as sites and software dedicated to differentiating and learning to tell time especially for early childhood math students.

The first technological resource for math is TeacherVision widgets. These widgets are free applications which can be added to social networking sites like Facebook, personalized homepages such as iGoogle, as well as blogs. These feature different content for each day, specific to different math grades. There are calendar widgets which include math related holidays, significant dates, lessons, worksheets, resources, and activities. There are also daily math printable widgets which offer a different printable activity for different grades. For the fourth grade, the math concepts include number puzzles, reviews of fractions, addition, word problems, subtraction, decimals, multiplication, place-value, division, statistics, as well as measurement. TeacherVision offers RSS feeds as the second technological resource which provides daily math warm ups sent to the individual’s desktop, related to each grade. They are free of charge and include an educator’s calendar and daily math warm ups for elementary grades.

The third technological resource for math includes the online converting measurements activity meant for fifth and sixth grade. The objectives require that students utilize the internet to locate distances between two objects, then convert the units of length and finally solve math problems through multiplication and division of whole numbers. This uses the distance calculator on sites such as Google maps or http://www.teachervision.fen.com/maps/resource/5104.html.

Standards correlations are meant to develop a student’s multiplication and division fluency as well as their ability to carry out unit conversions in a specific system of measurement. This uses technology to locate, collect, and evaluate information for solving real world problems. Drawing conclusions from incomplete data is the third technological resource for math. Students will look at six photographs which can be found on the VoicesofYouth website. There are parts missing in each photo and the students should fill in a worksheet listing a description of each photo alongside the caption and then the students can discuss what is missing from the photo and how they are still able to conclude what is happening in the photos.

The fifth technological resource for math includes star magnitude graphing, which is intended for fourth through sixth grade. The students utilize a spreadsheet for this project to record star data and then convert the data to graphically represent the stars through their location as well as their magnitude.

About The Author: Elias Cortez is a freelance writer and the editor of www.topnetbookpicks.com – a website which provides detailed reviews and information for mini netbooks. You can learn more about the best netbooks on the market at his website.

Related posts:

1. Math Made Fun – a Video Series for Math Mavens and Future Math Mavens
2. Friday Afternoon Lifesavers – Math Videos from Bill Lombard – ppt

This is but one math question for students, with a link to an article from the New York Times.

The Times features interesting math-related questions that can be used in the classroom, and helps answer the age-old question, “When are we ever gonna use this?” You can find a wide range of topics that are motivating for the student as well as fascinating to the teacher.

You can visit the site here: The Learning Network.

No related posts.

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Online degrees are a great way to stay on top, both educationally and professionally. They allow you the flexibility of learning from home without having to take time off work or quit your job to go back to school, and because of this, aid professional who wish to climb up the career ladder and those who seek a career change. As far as mathematics is concerned most online colleges offer a range of degrees, from a BS to a PhD in the subject. Some even offer a BA in Mathematics which serves as a foundation to a higher degree and more lucrative and satisfying career options.

With a degree in Mathematics, you can apply for a wide variety of jobs that dip into the fields of science, computer technology, pedagogy, accountancy, statistics and research. Besides those who work as mathematicians, accountants, actuaries, statisticians, IT engineers, teachers and researchers too hold Math degrees.

When you pursue an online Math degree, you could choose to become a teacher with either a BA or a BS in Mathematics; you could also boost your qualifications with specialized degrees like MS in Education with Mathematics (below K5 or K5 and above).

If you’re not keen on becoming a teacher, you could use an MS in Mathematics or Statistics (or Mathematics with emphasis on Statistics and Accountancy) to become an accountant, an actuary, or a statistician.

There are a few offbeat careers that you can choose with the combination of Math and another major – fields like mathematical biology, mathematics of medicine, mathematics of finance, and operations research provide challenging and interesting jobs that are off the beaten path and so, available easily to those with the right qualifications.

With a PhD in Mathematics, you could work in scientific and research organizations as part of their R&D teams, you could choose to do research in the field of Mathematics, you could work in theoretical mathematics, or you could choose any of the fields that require applied mathematics skills like economics, engineering, finance, business, and science.

Mathematics majors are in demand to fill jobs in the federal government, organizations that conduct scientific research and are involved in innovation, schools and colleges, engineering and architectural firms, and companies that require consulting and technical services because of the nature of their work.

The key to making your online Math degree work is to choose the right college and the right degree. Ensure that your school and degree are accredited and that the degree is acceptable in the eyes of your prospective employer. Some organizations are not very keen on hiring people with an online degree, so it’s best you check out its viability and job prospects before signing on with an online school.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Carrie Oakley, who writes on the topic of online college . Carrie welcomes your comments at her email id: carrie.oakley1983(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

No related posts.

The following is a Guest Post from Brian Jenkins, who writes content for braintrack.com, where he has been a member of the writing team since 2008.

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Mathematics has a vital role in a variety of rewarding and good paying careers. For example, algebra is important in the fields of cryptology, computer science, networking, chemistry, and physics. For those who enjoy math, there are many careers in applied mathematics. Graduates with degrees in math are in high demand in a variety of fields.

Computer Graphics and Animation

Many positions in computer graphics involve calculus and linear algebra. To create computer generated dinosaurs and other types of animation a strong foundation is needed in advanced calculus, projective geometry, and differential geometry. Algorithms for computer animation use techniques from scientific computation, statistics, linear algebra, signal processing, control theory, and computational geometry.

Engineers with good math skills are needed to make web pages which can support three-dimensional objects with motion, shading, and other advanced elements.

Operations Research

Operations research includes the application of math for problems of optimization, especially for complex problems and particularly in the field of business. This discipline is also known as management science and industrial engineering.

Internet Businesses

Some major Internet companies hire mathematics graduates. Researchers at Amazon.com and many other companies put together mathematical models of customers and employees. For example, some modules are designed to predict what type of music people will purchase. Yahoo hires mathematicians to work with an enormous pool of data which includes the online activities of millions of registered customers.

Some companies use math to analyze online marketing trends. Those with math skills provide program managers and editors with sophisticated statistical models which provide information such as what types of TV scenes appeal most to certain demographic groups.

Network Security

The cryptology utilized in network security uses mathematical algorithms. Many positions in this field require a high level of mathematical ability.

Finance

Financial mathematics has been described as the development of mathematical tools and computational models for use in the financial industry. These tools and models are used to price new securities, support investment decisions, select portfolios, and manage risk. Mathematics is used on Wall Street for financial derivatives and stock market analysis. Many traders involved with stocks, commodities, and foreign exchange have math degrees.

Government Jobs

Many government jobs with Argonne, Sandia and Oak Ridge National Labs, the Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are in the applied mathematics category. Also, some jobs at the National Security Agency are in applied math and some positions are pure mathematics.

Science Careers

The up-and-coming field of biomathematics includes the application of concepts from a wide range of biological fields such as genomics and neuroscience. Bioinformatics (computational biology) is a growing part of the biomathematics field. Biostatistics and epidemiology use a great deal of applied statistics. Epidemiologists study the spread of disease and model how to respond to epidemics.

Data Mining

Data mining involves discovering patterns and previously unknown information in large data sets. Job opportunities are found in fields such as forensics, security, bioinformatics, genomics, e-commerce, medicine, astrophysics, and chemical and electrical power engineering.

Climatology

The field of climatology simulates the component forces that drive the climate. They use sophisticated models, based on physical principles, expressed as complicated partial differential equations. High performance computers are used in this field.

People with good math skills have a variety of careers to choose from. College mathematics courses and degrees are highly beneficial in obtaining a rewarding job.

BrainTrack has been providing useful information on colleges and careers to our millions of annual visitors free of charge since 1996. We offer over 10,000 pages of information on colleges, universities, and careers, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the New York Times, the Library of Congress, and hundreds of well-respected, global universities and colleges have recognized BrainTrack as a valuable resource by linking to our site.

Related posts:

1. Math Made Fun – a Video Series for Math Mavens and Future Math Mavens