Teaching Math Without Words, A Visual Approach to learning Math from MIND Research Institute

[rhit09]

Was any testing done to show the increase in math performance is a result of changing from a language based curriculum to a visual based curriculum, and not a result of changing from a traditional lecture based approach to a gaming based approach? It has been shown in other studies that a gaming based teaching method, one with immediate feedback for both incorrect and correct answers, increases retention. I think more comprehensive studies need to be done.

[arcoulson]

@rhit09 Good question. Not tested - there wasn't a "control" where the visualization was done but there was no game. However, there are lots of games out there in math software, from Math Blaster to DimensionM. If it's the gaming-based method, would like to see whether those gamifications of math were able to pull off repeatable success at scale across multiple states. Or, if it's all in the feedback, then let's compare how ST Math gives feedback vs. others.

[codwawtullio]

I don't think this will catch on

[JDMtrojanfan]

Thats a very unlucky penguin

[arcoulson]

@JDMtrojanfan The penguin is lucky because the kids love the penguin - whose name is JiJi. Check it out at any school using this program.

[sexy1996rh]

It's kinds like a lessen

[666tear666]

Bring this shit to miami

[arcoulson]

@666tear666 Coming to Miami for '12/13!

[GonoXL]

I am a visual learner who has a very mathematical brain. Math was always my strong subject until advanced concepts like quadratic equations, where I couldn't picture the numbers in my head. After graduating high shcool I went on to fail a college level math course. Are there any programs like this currently available?

[BajaBeans]

Not sure of the objective, but i'm pretty sure the kid at 6:50 is wrong.

[germandogs]

whaaaaaaaaaaaa---wOOOOOOOOOOOO­W

[eggplnt]

Saying that language could play no role in mathematical thinking isn't entirely correct. It isn't really known to what extent language plays a role in how we interact with the environment, learn, or even just basic perception. For example, having words for colors actually makes us see those colors, without the word/symbolic identifier, out brains don't categorize them separately.

Not that these ideas are bad, these ideas are wonderful, I just don't agree with argument that language plays no role

[arcoulson]

@eggplnt Don't get this approach wrong - check out the guided tour on MIND Research's website. The language is not ignored, it just doesn't come FIRST as abstract, often meaningless symbols. Having the students TALK about what they learned from the software is indeed a key to learning.

[blah11blah]

for x^2 + 5x + 6, I think they are factoring. The answer then would be (x + 2)(x + 3). Here is my assumption of the game. The rectangles represent the number values (here 2 and 3) which are supposed to add up to 5 but multiply to 6. If you notice, the rectangles are arranged so that the 6 balls fit neatly into the missing "chunk". What happens next with the buckets is beyond me and I don't know what they are doing but perhaps that might explain the factoring portion.

[ssal1122]

march of the penguins

[oxgon]

How the hell do I start this now.

[arcoulson]

@oxgon The program is available to schools acorss the U.S. Check MIND Research website and request info.

[100rubles]

One thing i hate more than math is penguins.

[nicko198718]

If pedobear was real I imagine he would sound like this

[masterstghm]

Why haven't they done it for linear algebra?

[lordShard]

@masterstghm Because it is impossible to do 4 or more variables on a screen.

[connorb12123]

@masterstghm Linear Algebra is in Algebra 1...

[BigRedsFro]

@connorb12123 You've never taken linear algebra, have you. I wasn't aware that in algebra 1 you learn about eigenvalues and subspaces

[jcchurch]

I want that software! I want it! Gimmie!

[Killahxxx]

This is one of the greatest most innovative approach to teaching math concepts to students.

[TheDoubtingDisease]

gamification

[happyevraftr18]

Very cool. Do you have any programs that can help with organic chemistry and physics learning? HELP ME!!!!!! =)

[cotccot]

i didnt get how does x2+5x+6 translate into a squarre, rectangles and a bag of balls!?

[sombriks1]

@cotccot green squares have adjustable widths and heights, so you have to stretch or shrink them until you get the correct size; when you stretch the square, the five bars grows together aswell.

[Vincentgriezelig]

@cotccot 1*x^2 is "x squared" is the area of a square with sides of length x measured in units of x.

5x is the area of a rectangle with height 1 and length 5 (or vice versa) OR the length of a line that's 5 units of x long.

And 6 is dimensionless, so it's a point, or a ball.

[rogerbinschus]

@cotccot x^2 + 5x + 6 can be factored into (x+3)(x+2)... that is what the visual is representing. think of x^2 as a square that is x by x, and 5x as five rectangles x by 1... and 6 as six blobs... now that you have the square, the rectangles, and the blobs, can you arrange them into some sort of rectangle? yes, you can. That is what the visual represented.

[sherart]

This program should be in every single school in this country. 90% of students are visual learners or have issues with word-based learning (left-brained), and yet our educational institutions have not changed their mode of teaching in the last 100 years. We need to bring these programs to our kids' schools & demand that the curriculum adapt to help our kids, instead of forcing our kids to change their brains to fit these antiquated & misguided programs.

[Mrsmonstermcgee]

Very Cool!!! HOW do I get this into my home. I home school.