Learning List recently reviewed ExploreLearning’s Gizmos. This supplemental, web-based product supports math and science instruction across grades 3-12. Instruction is inquiry-based. Gizmos are content-specific simulations and virtual manipulatives that provide students with dynamic, hands-on opportunities to explore math and science concepts in fun and meaningful ways.
Across grades, Gizmos are housed in searchable libraries for math and science. Libraries are structured by grade band (e.g. 3-5) and topic. The math library is broadly organized in topics that include: numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Each topic includes sub-topics with one or more content-specific simulations (e.g., estimation using a number line). Each sub-topic Gizmo has a short overview of the simulation, learning objectives, a list of new vocabulary, and feedback from the Gizmos’ user community. [Read more…]
Each math Gizmo helps students make sense of concepts through visual representations of content. Interactive tools enable students to gather and analyze data, manipulate key variables, and use mathematical models to solve problems. Gizmos includes game-based activities that require students to reason quantitatively, critique their own reasoning, and that of their classmates. Simulations address many topics and skills that are relevant to both math and science (e.g., measurement, graphing). The overlap between Gizmos for math and science enable students to make connections between subject areas. Gizmos’ focus on solving real-world problems helps students to make connections to the world in which they live.
Watch this brief video produced by ExploreLearning to learn more about Gizmos.
About ExploreLearning*
ExploreLearning® was founded in 1999 with a mission to improve student learning in math and science through best-in-class online solutions. Today, ExploreLearning’s award-winning products — Gizmos® and Reflex® — are successfully used in every state and province and more than 50 countries around the world.
ExploreLearning is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is part of the Cambium Learning Group® — a leading educational solutions and services company committed to helping all students reach their full potential.
*Information in this section is provided by or adapted from ExploreLearning.
Subscribe to Learning List for access to Learning List’s spec sheet, full editorial review and alignment report for this product.