Website review by Debbie Gorrell, Common Sense Education | Updated October 2015

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MathTV.com

Name: MathTV.com
Item: MathTV.com
Rating: 3
Author: Debbie Gorrell

Video collection shows step-by-step solutions but lacks interactivity

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Grades

6–12

Subjects & Skills

Math, Critical Thinking

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5 images

Some videos include written sample problems.

Many videos include kids as the instructors.

Printable worksheets are included with some videos.

Topics appear on the left, and videos on the right.

Pros: Friendly instructors and step-by-step instructions make complex problems more approachable.

Cons: Kids have minimal opportunities to interact or to solve problems on their own.

Bottom Line: MathTV.com is a fine resource for supplementing lessons with stepped-out sample problems.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Once kids learn how to solve problems within a particular content area, have them view the first few seconds of an applicable video. Just let them see the sample problem, but not the solution. Have kids try to solve the problem on their own, and then have them watch the solution in the video. Repeat as needed within the same subtopic. It could also be fun to discuss which instructor's solution they prefer for a particular problem and why they prefer it. Print worksheets for extra practice where applicable.

What Is It?

MathTV.com is a resource for kids who are studying topics that range from basic math to calculus. The site includes brief videos with both adult and student instructors who show how to solve math problems, step by step. If kids sort videos by topic, they are free to view and may include closed captioning and/or Spanish versions. However, if kids sort the videos by "textbook," the first video for a textbook is free, but they must pay a fee for full access.

Videos can be sorted by topic; all topics are listed on the left side of the screen, and many address Common Core State Standards. Each topic contains subtopics, with videos that align to the subtopic. For example, the topic Quadratic Equations includes the following subtopics: Factoring, Square Root Property, Completing the Square, Quadratic Formula, and Quadratic in Form. The subtopic Factoring includes 12 sample problems, and each problem includes at least two video solutions with a different instructor in each video. Most also include a Spanish version of the video solution. Videos can be added to a playlist, and some subtopics include printable worksheets with problems for kids to solve.

Is It Good for Learning?

Kids who like to learn by listening will love the fact that they can listen to step-by-step solutions to some very challenging problems. The problems range from identifying place value and adding whole numbers to differentiating functions and finding roots of complex numbers. However, unless the textbooks are included, the resource is not a stand-alone holistic approach to teaching math. Rather, it serves as a tool to support content that kids have already learned. More instructional videos and more printable worksheets for kids to solve would be a significant boost to the site's learning value.

Learning Rating

Overall Rating

Engagement

Kids may connect well with the youthful instructors, who are confident, competent, and relatable. There isn't any direct interaction unless kids navigate to outside resources.

Pedagogy

Step-by-step problems help kids learn solutions to problems with a wide range of complexity. It would be great if kids could try to solve some problems and receive feedback.

Support

Information is neatly organized into content categories. Most videos include Spanish versions, and many include closed captioning.

Common Sense reviewer

Debbie Gorrell Educator

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Arithmetic With Polynomials And Rational Expressions

HSA.APR.7
(+) Understand that rational expressions form a system analogous to the rational numbers, closed under addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by a nonzero rational expression; add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.

Congruence

HSG.CO.10
Prove theorems about triangles. Theorems include: measures of interior angles of a triangle sum to 180°; base angles of isosceles triangles are congruent; the segment joining midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and half the length; the medians of a triangle meet at a point.

Expressions And Equations

7.EE.3
Solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies. For example: If a woman making $25 an hour gets a 10% raise, she will make an additional 1/10 of her salary an hour, or $2.50, for a new salary of $27.50. If you want to place a towel bar 9 3/4 inches long in the center of a door that is 27 1/2 inches wide, you will need to place the bar about 9 inches from each edge; this estimate can be used as a check on the exact computation.
8.EE.7.b
Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions using the distributive property and collecting like terms.
8.EE.8.b
Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables algebraically, and estimate solutions by graphing the equations. Solve simple cases by inspection. For example, 3x + 2y = 5 and 3x + 2y = 6 have no solution because 3x + 2y cannot simultaneously be 5 and 6.

Geometry

6.G.1
Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.

Ratios And Proportional Relationships

6.RP.3.c
Find a percent of a quantity as a rate per 100 (e.g., 30% of a quantity means 30/100 times the quantity); solve problems involving finding the whole, given a part and the percent.

Reasoning With Equations And Inequalities

HSA.REI.3
Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations with coefficients represented by letters.

Trigonometric Functions

HSF.TF.9
(+) Prove the addition and subtraction formulas for sine, cosine, and tangent and use them to solve problems.

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