Algebra

K-12

Developed at Utah State University, the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives hosts a library of interactives that meet NCTM algebra standards at all grade levels.

These interactives feature number relations, patterns, equations, ratio, proportion and graphing. PBS TeacherLine also offers online professional development.

The Shodor Foundation's Interactivate library features interactives ranging from a simple “pattern generator” to fractals.  The repository also includes games, codes, and estimation activities.  Some have adjustable ability levels.

Created by NCTM and Marco Polo, Illuminations offers 90 online activities that are color-coded by grade level.

This Teacher's Lab site features logic, number and word patterns. Using descriptions and both visual and written forms of expressions, students will develop a larger "function sense" without simply asking for the next number in the pattern. These activities encourage critical thinking and creativity.

The Fibonacci Numbers and Nature page contains lessons, detailed activity descriptions, interactives ranging from simple to complex, photographs and illustrations related to the Fibonacci sequence as it occurs in nature.

Middle and High School

Absurd Math: Pre-Algebra from Another Dimension is an interactive mathematical problem solving game series. The player proceeds on missions in a strange world where the ultimate power consists of mathematical skill and knowledge. Many of the pages have hidden clues and areas. Players, teachers and parents may email for assistance and answer keys.

MathStar introduces students to addition and subtraction of integers.  Interactive elements are supported by video clips, worksheets, teacher guides, a glossary, and standards correlations.

Interactives provide a real-time connection between representations of the mathematics (symbolic, graphical, etc.), so that changes in one representation instantly cause changes in the other. Created by the Concord Consortium, they were designed as part of a teacher professional development program and are free for public use.

“Survivor Algebra”, a cooperative learning activity, is spelled out in detail in the teacher’s section of Cool Math, complete with tips on classroom management. The student section offers study tips, online graphing calculators, practice and review problems.

Students can plug in problems that cause them difficulty at Webmath.com. They receive an instant solution along with a step-by-step explanation of how the problem was solved, or a reason why the problem could not be solved with the information provided. Computer-generated responses are clear and easy to follow.

This site contains Java applets that interactively explore topics in pre-calculus such as quadratic, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial, absolute value functions and their graphs. These tutorials can be used either as complements to topics already studied or to learn a new topic through exploration.

Math.com provides step-by-step tutorials for middle (Pre-Algebra) and High School (Algebra) students requiring targeted assistance or remediation.

Resources featuring Real-World Applications:

The Futures Channel hosts short video clips that feature the applications of algebra in the world around us. Lesson activities, articles, and biographies of master educators in the field are also featured.

Numbers in the Real World provides a series of exploration exercises that demonstrate the real-world uses of algebra. Some of the problems require students to visit and collect data from external Web sites, and offer cross-curricular and multicultural connections.

Students can explore 33 different professions requiring algebraic knowledge on the AlgebraLAB site developed by Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. Descriptions include skills required and salary ranges.

A search for "algebra" at the Open Video Project site yields twelve different downloadable NASA Connect clips describing the application of algebraic concepts in the use and construction of telescopes and aircraft.

Real problems requiring algebra were contributed by professionals in Idaho for Micron's Math in the Workplace and demonstrate the relevance of math in today's world.  Math in the Workplace problems are aligned with the National Standards for School Mathematics.

The Indiana Department of Education hosts information and resources for parents regarding the importance of math education (also available in Spanish).

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