5 Free Math Apps for Middle & High School

The growth of technology in the classroom can be overwhelming, especially if you have been teaching for years.   Sometimes I feel old-fashioned when I don't have an inviting attitude towards all the tech options that are thrown at us.  It can be a challenge to sort through the junk.

​I don't believe in replacing current lessons with tech-based ones unless it truly offers something better!  I've blogged before on my beliefs about tech vs. paper/pencil in math class.

I am finally slowly embracing more and more technology as I see some of the options that are out there.

If you are like me and need to take small steps, a simple way to incorporate technology in your room is by creating time for students to use these Five Free Apps!  

As a hard-core pencil and paper math believer, I am excited to find apps that actually offer a good blend of fun and rigor (which is always my goal as I strive to throw away the “fluff” and spend every minute of precious class time engaging their brains to the max)!  It helps me to start exploring more tech integrations to use alongside the hands-on and paper & pencil activities that I love so much.
 
Whether during class, or for homework on their device of choice, this roundup of apps is perfect for practicing math skills, reviewing topics, or great tools for working on math problems! 
 
Note: Some of these apps include premium features available for purchase within the app, but all basic features are free to download from the app store!

1.  Isosceles: geometry sketchpad
 
With this app, your students can learn about geometry through creating their own sketches or exploring tutorials to learn about different angles, lines, circles, and more!
 
My favorite aspect of this app is its approach to interactive learning.  Every tutorial guides you through learning points to help you pass a quiz over the material.  Your students can then return to creating their own sketches, using versatile tools to create complex designs.
 
You don’t have to worry about creating accurate and precise lines; this app does it for you!  Isosceles automatically snaps new additions to nearby objects, in order to keep your drawing accurate. 
 
2.  Photomath: Camera Calculator
 
With this unbelievable app, your students can snap a picture of an equation to calculate the answer.
 
All you have to do is simply point your smartphone camera and snap a picture of the problem; like magic, this app will calculate the answer and provide detailed step-by-step instructions!
 
Because this app features handwriting recognition, students can even take a picture of a problem they have written down.   It can be a great resource for students to check their own work.
 
This app supports arithmetic, integers, fractions, decimals, roots, algebraic expressions, linear equations, quadratic equations, and so much more!

Obviously, you'd need to be careful that students use this correctly and monitor closely during tests, but the benefits can be great.  I can't tell you how much time I've spent walking around answering "Can you just tell me if it's right or not?" during practice time when students want to just quickly know if they are on the right track.
 
3.  Quick Graph
 
On this snazzy app, your students can instantly see the line of any equation they wish to input.  This app is another great resource that allows students to check their work.
 
This simple, but intuitive interface makes it so easy for your students to enter and/or edit equations.  Then, they can choose to view it in 2D or 3D.
 
This app includes a handy evaluate feature, which evaluates equations at specific points, and a library to store commonly used equations.
 
4.  Protractor 1: Angle Converter
 
This virtual tool is not only a protractor; it is a convertor, too!  When you use a regular protractor you sometimes need to convert between degree and radian, or vice versa. 
 
With this simple to use app you can instantly switch between degree, radian, gradian, and revolution.  When a student forgets or misplaces his or her protractor- no more excuses!
 
Note: This app does NOT provide other activities; it is simply an awesome and helpful tool for measuring angles!
 
5.  SAT Math Review
 
This app provides over 1400 comprehensive math questions with solutions and 140 revision notes.  It covers many essential math subjects, including:

• Algebra and Functions
• Geometry and Measurement
• Data Analysis
• Statistics and Probability
• Number and Operations

 
The material provided in this app provides excellent review and/or essential practice for your students.  Without a doubt, this app will help your students rock their SAT and get into their dream college!
 
My previous collection of app finds included my favorite discovery-based interactive math apps in this post.  Inquiry / exploration is one of the best ways to use technology, in my opinion.  Kids can now visualize and investigate concepts that were so hard to show before.  That was the first way I was able to start exploring ways that the phones could finally actually supplement the learning instead of distract from it.  Do you have any favorite apps for teaching math that offer the same?  It can be so hard to filter out the ones that are worthwhile.  Let us know in the comments below!
 
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