The following is a small sample of some of the Macintosh software for mathematics which is available now for teachers, most of it in free or shareware forms. The web sites linked through this site contain these and many more packages suitable for use at various levels of schooling.

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Animation and mathematics...

As mathematics teachers, we have only just begun to explore the possibilities of video. Animations provide a means by which mathematical ideas may become dynamic rather than static concepts for our students.

Consider, for example, the power of the image when thinking about adding a constant outside a function when compared with adding a constant inside a function.

These QuickTime animations were created using Theorist Student Edition, but similar animations are possible using free software, such as xFunctions.

Sin(x+a)

Sin(x)+a

Cabri-Geometry Demo

Probably the most exciting tool for mathematics learning to emerge yet, Cabri Geometry supports the dynamic exploration of geometric ideas, from ruler and straight-edge constructions and coordinate geometry to transformations and more. Try out the optics example and then create and construct your own figures.

This demo version allows all functions except circles and saving files. The full version of this program for both Macintosh and IBM computers is available from the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.

Cabri Geometry demo

Berkeley LOGO

LOGO was developed by Seymour Papert as a 'mathland', where children would be able to learn mathematics easily and naturally. It remains a powerful tool for developing mathematical thinking, problem solving, understanding of geometry and the ability to work creatively with computers.

After typing 'SS' (to view the SplitScreen), try typing STAR 108. Type 'CS' to Clear the Screen, then try STAR 144. Try different values and see if you can discover the rule for making different stars.

Berkeley LOGO

MathMaster

This versatile algebra tool is free for educational purposes and provides an ideal support from early algebra in the junior years to simultaneous equations and coordinate geometry in the later years. Try the demonstration file to begin.

MathMaster

Nomi's Operations

When my daughter in Year Four began to have problems with the algorithms for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, I wanted a way to help her through the process, focusing on the steps and especially on the particular places where she was making errors. This Hypercard stack was the result.

It is a long way from being complete, so comments, criticisms and suggestions are most welcome.

Nomi's Operations

SchoolStat

I have yet to see a better interactive statistics package than this shareware application by Australian David Darby.

SchoolStat

About SyMan

SyMan is a simple but powerful algebra tool written by Roy Wood, a Canadian mathematics teacher. It is distributed as shareware, at a cost of $US25 and represents great value for money.

Use it to support computations (such as equation solving and completing the square) as well as to view graphs and tables of values for functions.

SyMan 1.2 demo

The ToolKit

The ToolKit is a free HyperCard stack which offers most of the items on my "wishlist" as a teacher of mathematics, from graphing and tables of values to loan repayments, equation solving, derivatives, areas under curves, and much more.

See what you think.

ToolKit stack

xFunctions: Simply powerful software

Begin by playing with the general examples file.

Then explore some nice derivative examples using xFunctions or use it to study space curves or even to play guess my rule !

xFunctions 2.3