Fractions App, by the Math Learning Center
Fractions is a free app for iPads and for Chrome books. It can also be simply used on the web; providing a whiteboard tool which lets teachers and students model fractions in a really interesting way – teaching students fractions visually.
“Fractions lets students use a bar or circle to represent, compare, and perform operations with fractions with denominators from 1 to 100. Choose the fraction model and number of equal parts. Use a color to select specific parts to show a fraction of the whole. Reveal or hide numeric labels as needed. Superimpose fractions upon each other to compare fractions or see equal parts.”(Math Learning Centre)
Visualizations in the app can be used to represent parts of a whole and students can just choose to colour the fraction by pressing an icon and the fraction is coloured for them, building confidence and understanding as students play with it.
The app could be useful in a whole class lesson or used with small groups. Pupils can try out their understanding first by visualizing fractions, dividing circles on the whiteboard. Then compare with the automatically coloured version.
The models can be dragged around to compare and see which is bigger, smaller etc. There is a drawing tool which could be used to write out problems if required. It is easy to click on a symbol to reveal the numerator and denominator. There is also access to a key pad so that pupils can choose to type in the numbers.
The information icon explains how to use each feature of the app.
