Strengthen Mathematics Fluency with iPad

In this Apple Professional Learning Live session, we explored ideas for transforming abstract math concepts into relatable and meaningful experiences to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration with iPad.

Here’s a recap on each of the experiences and some ideas for how you can apply these in your teaching and learning with mathematics.

Markup Mathematics

Marking up photos is a great way to connect mathematics concepts to real world settings.

Have a look around your environment and take a photo of something that captures your interest. 

1. Open Camera 
2. Tap the Shutter button to take a photo
3. Open Photos to find the image you just captured
4. Tap Edit
5. Tap Markup and use the Markup tools to annotate the types of shapes and angles you find in your photo.

Australian Curriculum Ideas

Year 2 - Identify, describe and demonstrate quarter, half, three-quarter and full measures of turn in everyday situations (AC9M2M05)

Year 4 - Represent and approximate composite shapes and objects in the environment, using combinations of familiar shapes and objects (AC9M4SP01)

Year 6 - Investigating symmetry, transformation & tessellation in different shapes (AC9M6SP03)

Visualise Data with Charts

Charts can turn data into beautiful visuals that make information easier to understand.  In Numbers you can choose from a variety of chart types to visualise your data and there are some great templates to get you started. 

1. Open Numbers and explore the built in templates. 
2. Open the template “Graphing Basics” 
3. Select the sheet “Column & Bar Graphs”
4. Tap in the table cells to change the data - watch the template graphs change as you change the input. 
5. Tap the Column Graph
6. Tap the Format button to change the style.
7. Tap the Text Box to modify the text or delete.
8. Add some shapes or an image that represents the context.

💡 When using a template it is a good idea to rename the file first. Select the drop down arrow next to the heading Graphing Basics in the top left. Select Rename. Use dictation or type with text to rename the file.

💡 Delete the sheets that are not needed by double tapping the sheet name and selecting Delete. You can also rename the sheet by double tapping the text. 

Australian Curriculum Ideas

Year 1 - acquire and record data for categorical variables in various ways including using digital tools, objects, images, drawings, lists, tally marks and symbols (AC9M1ST01)

Year 2 - create different graphical representations of data using software where appropriate; compare the different representations (AC9M2ST02)

Year 4 - analyse the effectiveness of different displays or visualisations in illustrating and comparing data distributions (AC9M4ST02)

Animate Maths 

Animating math concepts is an effective way to make learning more engaging, accessible, and interactive. Teachers can use animations to explain concepts or students can use animations to help with their learning or to demonstrate their understanding. 

Did you know you can create animations in Keynote? 

• Magic Move Transition: Create seamless transformations between slides.
• Action Build Effects: Use effects like "Move," "Scale," or "Fade" to animate objects step by step.
• Path Animations: Create custom movement paths for points or objects.

Magic Move

1. Open Keynote, select Choose a Theme / Select the Basic White Template, and add a new blank slide.
2. In the slide navigator, tap the slide you want to add a Magic Move transition to.
3. If the slide does not have an object, place an object on the slide.
4. Tap the slide in the slide navigator again, then tap Transition.
5. Tap Add Transition, tap Magic Move, then tap Done.
6. Tap Duplicate to duplicate the slide or tap Cancel if you already duplicated it.
7. Change the position or appearance of the objects on one or both slides; you can drag objects to new locations, rotate or resize objects, add or delete objects on either slide and more. The Magic Move transition is most effective when both slides include at least one common object the position or appearance of which has been altered.
8. To preview the transition, tap the first of the two slides in the slide navigator, then tap play.
9. To customise the transition duration and timing, tap the first of the two slides in the slide navigator, tap Magic Move at the bottom of the screen, then explore the different ways you can customise the transition.

💡 Animations can be saved as movie’s or GIF’s for repeated viewing. Select the drop-down next to the file name and choose Export > Movie > Export > Save Video. Share with your students via airdrop, Apple Classroom or post to your LMS. Animations can be great for parents also to support their children’s learning at home.

Learn more here:

 Animating objects in Keynote 

 Australian Curriculum Ideas

Foundation - Sort, name and create familiar shapes; recognise and describe familiar shapes within objects in the environment, giving reasons (AC9MFSP01) *Use Appear Animation

Year 2 - Recognise and describe one-half as one of 2 equal parts of a whole and connect halves, quarters and eighths through repeated halving (AC9M2N03) *Use Magic Move Animation

Year 4 - Create and interpret grid reference systems using grid references and directions to locate and describe positions and pathways (AC9M4SP02) *Use Create Path Animation

Sketch & Solve with Math Notes

iPad has a new calculator feature called Maths Notes that lets you type or write math expressions and see them solved instantly in your own handwriting. Math Notes are automatically accessible in the Notes app in the new Math Notes folder.

Open Calculator. 

1. Tap  the calculator symbol in the bottom left corner, then Math Notes. Add a title.
2. Tap the Markup button. Write variables and an equation.
3. Add a graph and drawings to visualise the math equation.
4. Update one or more of the variable values.
5. Explore Math Results options. Share your note. 

Learn more here:

 Solve math with Math Notes in Calculator on iPad

💡 You can also solve handwritten math problems on a Freeform board on iPad

Continue your Learning: 

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