Mobile for increasing interaction in a math course

1. Increasing Student Interaction in
the Math Classroom Using Mobile
Apps
REVA NARASIMHAN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS
KEAN UNIVERSITY, NJ
AMATYC 2017

2. List of Apps
 Google Classroom : classroom management app; ask questions in real time
and make assignments; requires google education account
 Google Forms and Sheets: available for free to everyone; use generic form
to record answers
 Remind Messaging App: text message students for free; not required to
collect phone number
 Desmos: mobile graphing app

3. Google forms for Question of the
Day
• Create a generic
Google form to
record answers to
questions posed on
the blackboard.
• Instantly review
answers to see where
students are having
problems.
• Use the Google
Sheets app to view
responses.

4. Google Classroom
 Instructor can ask question to
students in real time
 Instructor can view answers
 Students download free app

5. Remind App
 Easily text message students
 No cell phone numbers are revealed
 Easy way to notify students of class
delays, exam dates etc.
 Use in class to share links

6. Sharing links
via Remind
Allows students to
instantly access material
on their phones while
instructor is lecturing on
the material.
Exploring data
Exploring web resources

7. Source: Cengage Learning survey of 876 college instructors and 4,960 college
students , 8/2014, 9/2014
https://blog.cengage.com/smartphones-in-class-learning-tool-distraction/

8. Question of the
Day Responses
• These are written to
Google sheets
• Check answers in real
times and see what
students are having
trouble understanding
• Can use the same form
for different questions

9. Desmos Graphing
App

10. Desmos in class
• Phone app has more functionality than
graphing calculator
• Interactive sliders can be used to
investigate the role of parameters
• Set up a graphing activity in your
Desmos account and share via Remind
or Google classroom
• Incorporate into a Google form to
create interactive worksheets!