Innovative ways Northbridge maths teachers have made learning interactive to our students

Innovative ways Northbridge maths teachers have made learning interactive to our students The current situation has forced schools around the world to transform their dynamic classroom lessons into online virtual classes. This is no different at Northbridge International School Cambodia, where teachers have had to find innovative ways to make learning interactive to our students during this challenging time.

The current situation has forced schools around the world to transform their dynamic classroom lessons into online virtual classes. This is no different at Northbridge International School Cambodia, where teachers have had to find innovative ways to make learning interactive to our students during this challenging time.

In the Secondary math department, math teachers have incorporated the use of various educational platforms to teach mathematical skills, provide real time feedback to students and to assess the skills and concepts they have learned.

In Grade 10 extended mathematics, students explored the different forms of equations for quadratic functions using the online mathematical program Desmos.

In a 45-minute online lesson, students modeled quadratic equations in standard, factored and vertex form and were challenged to derive different equations from simple coordinates, to real world parabolic curves. Afterwards, our students put the skills they learnt to the test as they modeled parabolas under different constraints, all the while becoming proficient at using graphing technology.

Furthermore, all Secondary math classes have been held using the Google meets platform where teachers are able to live stream and model mathematical problems to students and have utilized videos to enable students to see exemplar solutions to different mathematical skills being taught. Live time feedback has also been given through the Google meets platform.

Meanwhile, students in Grade 8 and 9 have been working on their mathematical reports and teachers are providing real time feedback on Google Docs and through the Managebac platform throughout their written process. This allows students to still have the same contact time as they would in a regular classroom but with more specific feedback to each individual students needs as it happens. 

The use of Padlet has become essential to our virtual math classes, as classroom instructions are given to students and resources are shared through the Northbridge Padlet platform. Moreover, Padlet has enabled our students to upload classwork and homework and teachers are able to provide additional feedback to support their learning. 

Finally, with ongoing virtual lessons it is important to gamify the classroom, which is a way to make lessons more engaging and to foster collaboration amongst students who can be isolated in their homes. In math lessons teachers, have incorporated Kahoot, which is an online platform that quizzes students in a competition layout.

Students compete with one another in a series of multiple-choice questions either individually on in teams. Kahoot has enabled Math classes to become more engaging and interactive for students and allowed teachers to formally assess their students. This form of assessment has been essential in learning which mathematical skills students have obtained and which skills need to be further reinforced. 

Meanwhile, the Higher Learning Grade 11 Applications and Interpretations math class was put in online teams of three. They were given instructions on how to breakout of their virtual room, which was a series of mathematical puzzles linked to their current vectors unit.

This form of virtual engagement helped students collaborate and develop critical and creative thinking skills as they solved mathematical problems in an escape room type of scenario.

Although the situation has forced some of our math teachers out of their comfort zone, and has made them have to adapt to the use of various technology on a daily basis in such a quick turnaround. The resilience they have shown in developing engaging lessons illustrates that Northbridge is continually providing outstanding learning opportunities for our students.