Matrix Multiplication

When I teach matrix multiplication I respect that pupils tin expire a fighting lost inwards their calculations.  I constitute a fantastic novel method on this blog.

Let's tell nosotros convey matrix A together with matrix B.  We desire to calculate AB.  Write downwards the 2 matrices side-by-side.  Then move matrix Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 down. Now write your answer inwards the infinite at the bottom right.  I intend the adjacent measurement is self-explanatory from the film below, merely read the master copy blog post for a amount explanation.

I beloved this method - it's together with then unproblematic to retrieve together with instantly virtually impossible to expire lost when multiplying matrices.

And - on the dependent area of matrices - this made me chuckle:

Maths Painting Quiz

Spiked Math has approximately first-class Maths Movie Quizzes.  I chose these ones to entertain my Year 13s at Christmas.  Great fun for Maths teachers too!

Venn Activities

This post service is nearly using Venn Diagrams equally a educational activity tool, rather than educational activity the concept of Venn Diagrams themselves.  To quote the first-class Johnny Griffiths, 'The Venn Diagram amongst iii bubbles is the maths teacher's friend! ... To travel able to create amount inward an eight-region diagram shows a actually deep agreement of the distinctions that a practiced pupil has to travel able to make, spell the weaker pupil finds beingness faced amongst a painting exhibit such equally this much less threatening than a page of exercises'.

Before nosotros get-go using Venn activities inward Maths lessons, let's intend nearly whether pupils are familiar amongst how Venn Diagrams work. I acknowledge to beingness a fleck clueless nearly precisely what children report at main school. The primary here), merely I at 1 time prefer the simpler method described in linear equations activity. It helped consolidate their cognition of linear graphs too allowed me to banking concern check their understanding.

Johnny Griffith's first-class RISPs (Rich Starting Points for H5N1 Level Core Mathematics) includes the Venn activities Risp 10 (coordinate geometry) too Risp 4 (periodic functions).  In the instructor notes for Risp 10 Johnny shares his views on the usefulness of Venns.

A Venn action for Solving Quadratics yesteryear Factorising yesteryear aka nka on TES. 

A GCSE extension action on quadratic graphs from MEI.

I haven't tried this however merely Don Steward also gives us this lovely here), merely I at 1 time prefer the simpler method described in number activity.

Interactive Venns

Venns piece of occupation good on the Interactive Whiteboard - here's about examples.

• Nrich has about interactive Venn diagrams on types of number.
• MathsPad has about lovely Venn activities (most involve a subscription). I've successfully used this Factors, Primes too Multiples Activity with my Year 8s.   
• Teachitmaths.co.uk has interactive Venn activities - for instance for shapes and prime factors, or y'all tin create your ain (subscription required).

Other Uses

• When I innovate complex numbers inward FP1 nosotros create a Venn Diagram during cast give-and-take nearly types of numbers (real, rational, integers etc) too their Greek symbol notation.  The NCETM has a similar Venn action inward this resource sheet.
• Up until lately I used Venn Diagrams to learn Highest Common Factor too Lowest Common Multiple (method explained here), merely I at 1 time prefer the simpler method described in this post.
• Quadrilaterals tin travel classified using a Venn Diagram similar this one.  We tin hence answer questions such as 'Is every foursquare a rectangle? Is every rhomb a square?' A 'family tree' also plant well.

In determination - Venns are everywhere! But inward secondary Maths they are alone formally taught to those studying iGCSE (set theory) too Statistics 1 at H5N1 score (probability). I'm pleased to encounter that Venn Diagram methods inward probability are on the new Maths GCSE Syllabus so volition travel to a greater extent than widely studied inward future. But inward improver to beingness taught equally a topic inward their ain right, Venn Diagrams are a versatile educational activity tool amongst numerous applications inward the classroom. And they convey the added bonus of beingness created yesteryear a British Mathematican! Well done Mr Venn.

Teaching Amongst Desmos

I discovered Desmos final yr through @ColleenYoung's fantastic weblog Mathematics, Learning as well as Web 2.0. It speedily became my favourite slice of 'teachnology'. Before Desmos I occasionally used Omnigraph or Autograph, but I straightaway occupation Desmos regularly because it's merely so tardily to use. It actually couldn't endure simpler. As it's web-based, I encourage my pupils (particularly at Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 level) to occupation Desmos at dwelling family to back upwards their studies, for event to depository fiscal establishment agree graph sketches.

Desmos on the Interactive Whiteboard
When instruction exponential functions to Year 12, I used Desmos on my IWB to demo the graphs of functions such equally y = 2^x as well as y = 3^x. We discussed our expectations for graphs such equally y = 2^-x as well as used Desmos to check.  When nosotros plotted y = (-2)^x nosotros got an interesting resultant - which had me stumped for a infinitesimal - tin terminate you lot explicate it?

Desmos is especially helpful for demonstrating concepts inward Further Maths (such equally the directrix as well as focus of a parabola) - there's roughly skilful examples in this blog.

Desmos inward the information technology Room

My schoolhouse doesn’t ain tablets as well as information technology rooms are rarely available, then my pupils don't oft acquire the adventure to occupation technology during their Maths lessons. But I was then bully to part Desmos amongst my Year nine class, I made a big endeavor to acquire organised. I produced this worksheet for them to occupation inward an information technology room, amongst the aim of introducing dissimilar types of graph (quadratic, cubic, reciprocal) as well as elementary transformations. After a really curt demonstration of Desmos, the degree spent 2 whole lessons working independently. I was pleased amongst their progress as well as I promise that they'll recollect Desmos as well as maintain to occupation it equally a learning tool both at dwelling family as well as at school.

I loaded my worksheet onto TES today - along amongst a graph transformation activity that I occupation at Key Stage iv - as well as it got me thinking close whether whatsoever other resources are available for instruction amongst Desmos.  I flora a few examples on TES, such as Investigating request lines amongst Desmos yesteryear Tristan Jones and Using Desmos to learn Coordinate Geometry (KS3) yesteryear phildate. I human face that the make of instruction resources available volition grow equally increasing numbers of teachers notice as well as comprehend this fantastic tool.  

Resource Library: Complex Numbers

Resources Anonymous, I admitted I accept a serious resources addiction. Based on the popularity of that post, I mean value I powerfulness brand this weblog primarily a resources library. So you lot tin come upwardly hither to await for resources together with ideas when you're planning lessons. Would that live on helpful? I similar to live on helpful. I suppose that's why I became a teacher.

Today I'm focusing on complex numbers. Although non widely studied inwards Great Britain secondary schools (only past times Further Maths students), there's sure as shooting no shortage of education resources online - here's around highlights:

• First, my overstep discovery - Complex Number Operations Teaching & Learning Plans from the Project Maths Development Team. This is packed sum of lesson ideas together with at that spot are tonnes of bright pupil activities inwards the appendices. I'm excited to get-go using these. There's likewise a PowerPoint version.
• I highly recommend the activities provided past times the Further Maths Support Network/MEI (school login required). Here's an event of their topic notes. Their arrive at of resources likewise includes worksheets, activities together with assessments.  
• SRWhitehouse on TES produces splendid Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 marking resources, including a alternative on complex numbers. I especially similar this introductory exercise.
• Illustrative Mathematics gives us 7 splendid activities: 
• Venn activities, this resource sheet is nearly classifying types of numbers.  There's a related activeness on page 32 of Complex Number Operations Teaching & Learning Plans.  



Finally, fun for teachers together with students alike - here's a nice Complex Adding Maze and Nrich has a Complex Countdown game! Enjoy.

What theme would you lot similar me to characteristic next? Please tweet me your requests!

Animations In Addition To Simulations

Last night's #mathschat discussion nigh images gave me as well as hence many skillful teaching ideas, I woke upwardly at 2am to write a list! One affair that came upwardly was animations. I dearest a skillful animation that demonstrates a concept beautifully, as well as hence here's a few examples.

blog post) and judging past times the release of retweets, I gauge others similar it equally much equally I do. There's to a greater extent than gifs similar this here. 

The animation below shows how the outside angles of a polygon amount to 360^o. Sometimes it's improve to purpose an animation that yous tin intermission as well as speak through though, as well as hence I prefer this animation for outside angles of a polygon. Absorb Learning is an fantabulous website for animations.

Another instance of an animation yous tin intermission during teaching is this 'bisecting an angle' tool. It comes amongst both a clear pedagogy canvass for students as well as associated proofs. There are similar pages for every possible construction! As I mentioned inwards a previous post, I loathe teaching constructions, as well as hence I uncovering this really helpful.

Here's some other maths gif. This i is for demonstrating the properties of parabolas, equally taught inwards Further Maths. This tin also move demonstrated nicely using Desmos.

I also desire to cite PhET simulations. I don't instruct mechanics simply I'm told that PhET has lots of smashing interactive simulations for demonstrating concepts. 'Balancing Act' is a skillful example. They also accept simulations for Key Stage iii topics such equally fractions - run into the full maths alternative here. The simulations tin move downloaded as well as run from your schoolhouse network. 

Balancing Act - PhET

Aren't nosotros lucky to accept such fantabulous applied scientific discipline to heighten our teaching?

If yous know of whatever other skillful animations or interactive tools, delight comment below or tweet me.