Teach Decimal Fractions Part 5: Using Software to Teach Decimals
Posted on 20. Apr, 2010 by Peter Price in Decimals, Decimals Software, Math Technology, Teaching Math
- Part I: Using the Power of Computers to Teach Decimal Fraction and Percent Concepts
- Part II: What Are Rational Numbers?
- Part III: Understanding Place Value
- Part IV: Decimal Fractions and Percents
- Part V: Using Software to Teach Decimal Fractions
The previous post listed some suggestions about teaching decimal fraction concepts, including ideas for modeling. On this page a computer software program that will represent decimal numbers is described.
Hi-Flyer Decimals
The program acts much like an electronic box of place-value blocks. Students can click on buttons to show blocks representing decimal numbers, then use various tools to manipulate the representations. By opening certain windows, the number can also be represented by the written symbol, a “numeral expander”, and the number name in words. As the block representation is changed by adding or taking away blocks, the contents of each window changes simultaneously.
The capabilities of this software were demonstrated at the NCTM 1999 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
If you would like to try a fully-functional trial of Hi-Flyer Decimals, just leave a comment below and I’ll send you the link.
Using the Computational Power of Computers
Computer-generated place-value blocks have a number of benefits compared to conventional physical blocks, including:
- The representations are “cleaner” (Clements & McMillen 1996) – the blocks can be arranged in orderly rows, and so that they are not overlapped;
- The software can dynamically demonstrate processes such as regrouping;
- The computer “knows” how many blocks are on-screen, and can use that information to provide accurate data for on-screen windows;
- The computer can free the student from cognitive processing, allowing consideration of other aspects of the number concepts (Price 2001).
References
Clements, DH & McMillen, S 1996, ‘Rethinking “Concrete” Manipulatives’, Teaching Children Mathematics, vol. 2, pp. 270-279.
Price, PS 2001, ‘The Development of Year 3 Students’ Place-Value Understanding: Representations and Concepts’, unpublished doctoral thesis, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
These notes were prepared as handouts for a conference session:
NCTM 1999 Annual Meeting – San Francisco [Visit the NCTM site]. They were previously hosted at hi-flyer.com, and were moved to Classroom Professor in April, 2010.
melissa
15. May, 2010
I am a homeschool mom and am working with my daughter who has Dyslexia. I have witnessed that using the computer has helped her tremendously to learn concepts and hold them in memory…not to mention fun. I myself, am struggling to teach the fraction/decimal math, but after looking at what the decimal flyer is like, I believe we could both learn from it. Is there a way that we can have access to this program? Or do you have another computer program you could suggest?
Thank you, Melissa Steilling
ClassProf
15. May, 2010
Hi Melissa
Thanks for your comment. I am working on new pages which will include a link to Hi-Flyer Decimals. I’ll let you know when it is posted. All the best to you and your daughter.
Regards, Peter Price
Mr. Pariey
04. Aug, 2010
Hi prof..
Your program is good for children. I’m very interesting with that kind of software. My name is Muhammad Safari and i’m master student for educational technology at UTM, Malaysia. I hope, i can contact you to discussing about development software for teaching and learning in Maths.
Regards, Muhammad Safari
PEter Curtis
20. Feb, 2011
Peter , is there a place that we can purchae your software in a version that is usable on later versions of windows? Have been to the hi flyer website but with no luck
Peter Price
15. Jun, 2011
Hi, Peter, thanks for the question.
I am pleased to tell you that our software and worksheets are now available for the first time from our new store – use the link near the top of every page, or the sidbar link on the decimals pages. Go to http://store.classroomprofessor.com/ to check out our products.
Peter Price
15. Jun, 2011
Thanks, everyone for your expressions of interest. I am pleased to let you know that Hi-Flyier Decimals is now available from our store – go to http://store.classroomprofessor.com to purchase the software, worksheets and multi-machine licenses.
You can try the software risk-free for 30 days, so if it doesn’t suit your needs in any way, you can request a full refund.
Let me know what you think!
Saima
16. Nov, 2011
Hi Peter.. I am a teacher in primary school and your computer programme has helped me a lot . I have understood the correct way of teaching decimal fractions through pictorials . Is their any way I could get the refresher course which could help me in the upcoming topics ?
Saima
Peter Price
31. Jan, 2012
Hi Saima
Thanks for the question. We have a number of resources available here, including a number of video podcast episodes, and at our store, a growing list of software and worksheet resources. I hope you will come back if you find our materials helpful.