Educational Math Videos Focusing on the Need for Mental Math Strategies

These short videos help demonstrate the need for developing mental math strategies and estimation skills. In these humorous videos, Ray Appel and Marc Garneau play the parts of Rote Procedures versus Personal Strategy and other similar characters in a style that closely resembles the Mac versus PC advertisements. Special thanks to Ray Appel of Zapple Educational Consulting for providing them for our viewers.

Rote Procedures and Personal Strategy

This clip is about rote procedure and personal strategies. Who walked faster? One went 8 km in 1 1/4 hours. The other? He went only 6 km, but did it in 3/4 of an hour. Watch how they attempt to solve the problem, as well as a misunderstanding of fractional parts of the whole!

Estimation & Calculation

This clip is about estimation and calculation. With estimation skills, we can assess whether or not our problem solving makes sense. If we only have calculation skills, we may not have a deep conceptual understanding.

Algorithm & Personal Strategies

This clip is about the reliance of calculators and algorithms without number sense. If we only have calculation skills, we may not have a deep conceptual understanding. Watch what happens when we try to make change from a 10 dollar bill.

Procedure and Concept

Procedure and Concept have to solve a problem. Which juice recipe will make the stronger drink? One walks away with a correct answer. The other walks away with a correct answer and a conceptual understanding by using one-half as a benchmark. Do we skip the concept over procedure?

Fraction Juice

More Procedure and Concept as the take on fractions to figure out which juice is more conentrated.

The Born Numeracy

Use the video below to show your child or class. Can they see math in the real world? If so, how is math being used? For what purpose? (e.g., Why do bridges use triangles? Why are there numbers on cars?). Help them to see how math is everywhere with this fun-filled, intense, action-packed short clip in the style of "The Bourne Identity". Download the Teacher Package for Video Project.

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