Algebra Balance Scales
September 8th, 2009
There are lots of “games” out there about solving equations, but I haven’t found a single one that is more than algebra homework dressed up with pretty packaging. The “games” are all of the same format. We’ll give you problems, you give us answers and we’ll reward you (or your character) if you get them right. These are not teaching games, these are just more of the same kind of practice that you would find in an algebra text.
There is one applet that is worthy of mention, though. The Algebra Balance Scales from the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is quite good. It isn’t billed as a game, but when you’re using it, you feel like you are playing a game because you’re interacting with the algebra on the screen.
I recorded an example to show my students how it works.
An interesting assignment for an online or hybrid class would be to have THEM record an example explaining the process (you could, for example, use Jing like I did) and turn in the link.
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I like Weigh the Wangdoodles, here: http://www.mathplayground.com/wangdoodles.html
And off-line, there’s Hands-On Equations. Not a game, but an early algebra learning system.
I saw this over the summer and had mixed feelings. I’ve been wondering if a good digital algebra manipulative would be useful; I’ve also wanted to use the balance scale metaphor for intro algebra. But, I don’t know if I like how this came together. It gets partway to what I had in mind for an ideal digital algebra manipulative, but it’s a little too clunky to feel natural. And the balance scale concept feels weaker in a virtual version than a physical scale would be.
With Math 9 coming up this term, I may still give this a try, but I think I’d rather borrow an old-school balance scale from the science lab supplies.
I had the opportunity to work with this website. I first used a class activity called “Hands On Equation.” It is where each student is given a scale and they need to balance both sides of an equation. After the class activiy for review before a quiz I gave the students the chance to work with this. It was very successful for all. Would recommend for students at both the middle school, and high school levels.