AT_IT - IntelliMathics

BY: Robert Reynolds

NAME: IntelliMathics 3


Manufacturer: IntelliTools, Inc.
http://www.synapseadaptive.com/intellitools/productmenu.html
Description:
IntelliMathics is an authoring program that allows kids to enjoy math by showing its connection with our everyday lives. This software illustrates this mathematical integration through fun and interactive manipulatives. Audio and Visual (pictures and written) feedback is provided in all activities/exercises every step of the way to ensure both a fun and educational process. This program is designed to serve as an integrated supplement in the k-8 math classroom; however, it is available and compatible for use at home as well. IntelliMathics is fully-compatible with interactive white boards.

Platform:
IntelliMathics is a computer program formatted for Mac/Win CD-ROM. It provides many math-based manipulative activities and games usable in and out of the classroom with a computer, mouse, and keyboard. It is geared toward integration within the k-8 classroom setting.



Price: $299.95 – IntelliMathics can only be purchased as part of the IntelliTools Classroom Suite (which includes IntelliPiks Studio, IntelliMathics, and IntelliTalk)



Who Needs this Technology? Why?
Due to its use of manipulatives, audio feedback, and interactive nature, IntelliMathics is great for auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners. This software simplifies abstract, hard-to-grasp, mathematical concepts by relating them to the everyday lives of the k-8 students. It achieves this by paring up relevant pictures and icons with various math visuals and graphic organizers, such as sorting bins, Venn Diagrams, counting boxes, attribute blocks, geometric shapes, coins, dice, fraction bars, Base Ten Blocks, decimal grids, spinners for probability, geoboards for geometry, etc.
Though every student can benefit from and enjoy activities offered through this software, I believe IntelliMathics is especially important for special needs students. This program offers a platform that touches upon the three fundamental learning styles – auditory, visual, and kinesthetic – and it incorporates many of the Multiple Intelligences as well. Further, it incorporates computers, which is naturally appealing, practical, and motivational to the children of the “Net generation”. Students with special needs can really benefit with accessibility to as many modes for learning as possible; IntelliMathics offers this opportunity.

Research and History:
In 1992, IntelliTools (established in 1991) began research in computer-based math education for students with diverse learning needs. With support from both NSF and NIH, they tried to develop the most comprehensive, universally designed math software available. Out of this research came IntelliMathics for grades K-8, created with Ann-Patrice Hickey, Ph.D., formerly of CAST. The findings of this research showed that most children learn in a setting that only touches on one or two of the three basic learning styles (modalities) – auditory, visual, and kinesthetic (or tactile); as a result, kids may or may not grasp the material, depending on whether or not it plays to their learning style. IntelliTools aimed to cover all three learning styles with every instructional learning lesson; hence, IntelliMathics.


Benefits:
I previously mentioned some of the benefits IntelliMathics offers to all students, especially those with special needs. This is ideal for the inclusion setting. I briefly mentioned that it is compatible with interactive white boards. Further, it can be used to interact and manipulate activities projected on the white board if used in conjunction with IntelliKeys (also by IntelliTools); students can participate from their desks and control what is being demonstrated on the interactive white board. This would offer an ideal opportunity to boost the participation and confidence of students who may have social anxiety, or impediments which may affect speech or motor skills.
Math is such a common struggle for so many students, especially those with learning disabilities, due to its abstract concepts. IntelliMathics brings those concepts “alive” and enables students to grasp them and achieve by relating them to practical situations of everyday life. The challenge in teaching math, as in any subject, is finding a way to motivate the students, relate the material to their lives, and make them feel in control; I believe IntelliMathics offers an avenue to make this dubious task, which every teacher undertakes, a lot easier.

Recommendations:
I would definitely recommend this to any school district as a new initiative. Yes, it would cost a lot of money, but it would be well worth it. I can tell you from my own experience teaching in an “upscale” Westchester community that far too many students do not have a grasp of math concepts and skills. The reason being, I believe, is that they could not relate to it when they were initially taught the concepts; therefore, they did not grasp or retain them. I really think software such as IntelliMathics would cover concepts and compliment almost any lesson in the k-8 setting. It would naturally motivate the kids through the fun, interactive activities, and it requires the integration of computers and the development of the skills required to operate them, which every kid should have. The sooner we get our kids accustomed to computers the better.
Lastly, I would add that IntelliKeys would be a great addition to this initiative. This would allow kids to socially interact with the lesson and activities projected on the white board without having to “waste time” going up to the board and back to their seats. This would also allow the teacher to assess the progress of the class as a whole, and make corrections when they come so to benefit the entire class.
Lastly, I would like to add that IntelliMathics has built-in assessment tools to aid the teacher in grading. This could be used to save a considerable amount of time grading, which would allow more time for lesson planning. The software comes with many lessons and activities already developed; however, it also enables teachers to develop and publish their own lessons and activities. The opportunities are endless!

References:
1.) http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Curriculum/Math/curricular.php
2.) http://www.synapseadaptive.com/
3.) http://169.139.30.114/IntelliMathics/start.htm
4.) http://www.handsonconcepts.com/products/it_IntelliMathics3.htm
5.) http://intellitools.org/about/history.aspx