Page 5: Using Software to Teach About Decimals
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| Overview | Introduction to Rational Numbers | Place Value Notes | Decimals and Whole Numbers | Software & Decimals |
The previous page listed some suggestions about teaching decimal fraction concepts, including ideas for modeling. On this page a computer software program that will represent decimal numbers is described.
Hi-Flyer Decimals
The program acts much like an electronic box of place-value blocks. Students can click on buttons to show blocks representing decimal numbers, then use various tools to manipulate the representations. By opening certain windows, the number can also be represented by the written symbol, a "numeral expander", and the number name in words. As the block representation is changed by adding or taking away blocks, the contents of each window changes simultaneously.
The capabilities of this software were demonstrated at the NCTM 1999 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
Using the Computational Power of Computers
Computer-generated place-value blocks have a number of benefits compared to conventional physical blocks. These benefits include the following:
 | The representations are "cleaner" (Clements & McMillen, 1996) - the blocks can be arranged in orderly rows, and so that they are not overlapped; |
| The software can dynamically demonstrate processes such as regrouping; |
| The computer "knows" how many blocks are on-screen, and can use that information to provide accurate data for on-screen windows; |
| The computer can free the student from cognitive processing, allowing consideration of other aspects of the number concepts (Price, in process). |
[End of Notes]
References
Clements, D. H., & McMillen, S. (1996). Rethinking "concrete" manipulatives. Teaching Children Mathematics, 2, 270-279.
Price, P. S. (In process). Effects of two representational formats on the development of year 3 students' place-value understanding. Unpublished doctoral thesis, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
© Peter Price, 1999
