ED 1415 - Maths and Technology

Introduction

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A student must acquire three main skills of learning: Critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork. For this topic we will be highlighting mainly critical thinking, as this skill can be taught in many ways.

One way we will be focusing on is through games and puzzles. Why is it that through this method, we are able to achieve anything? These are the following reason:

This method benefits the students, as they are able to play games while unconsciously learning the concepts of critical thinking.
Budget-wise, computer games and puzzles can be distributed on each school computers, thus saving a lot of money on papers.
Through games and puzzles, we are able to get some resources out of learning.
This method is aimed for students to achieve success while providing a user-friendly facility, and also, students are able to concentrate well when playing games and puzzles.

Also, experts have made surveys on analyzing the results of students who had experienced the method of improving critical thinking through games, and the results are unbelievable. Through games and puzzles, there are a significant increase in students' GPA.

How does games and puzzles help?

Uses evidence skillfully
Understand the idea
Reasoning
Boolean (Valid/Invalid)
Independent thinking
Applies to solve problems
Present valid argument
Differentiate between bias opinion and judgment with evidence

History

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Many popular games had their origins in the Orient, examples of these games are chess and Ludo. The first boxed game was released in 1778. Since then, new boxed games began to release one by one from 1888 onwards.

Games that require co-ordination and dexeterity have existed for centuries such as tops, yo-yos and Chinese puzzles. The earliest puzzle was the Loculus, meaning 'little box', of Archimedes. This was a 14 piece dissection of a square which appeared in the 3rd century BC. Tangrams, with 7 pieces, became popular in China about 1800 and by 1820 they had spread to Europe and the United States.

In the 19th century, tangram puzzles were often sold in small square boxes. In 1891, illustrated puzzles were released in a booklet, and proved to be a success as these puzzles were popular in World War I for the civilians to pass away their times in the trenches.

Examples of Puzzles!

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For this method, we will be using Professor Layton games as a suitable reference of how games and puzzles will affect their understanding of achieving critical thinking. Since there are tons of puzzles in this game, we will be picking out a few of the puzzles to show as examples.

Please click on the left navigation bar to view the examples on the 'Examples of Puzzles', or click below!

References

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Scott Palat. "Using Math Games to Enhance Learning" Buzzle.com. 6 June 2006. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/6-5-2006-98339.asp
Hantsweb. "Games and Puzzles" 25 August 2009. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/childhood-collections/toys/games-and-puzzles.htm
Kristen Bevilacqua. "Boys and Games: Using Puzzles to Improve Literacy skills" Getting boys to read. http://www.gettingboystoread.com/content/boys-games-using-puzzles-improve-literacy-skills
Professor Layton and the Curious Village Walkthrough: http://professorlaytonwalkthrough.blogspot.com/
Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box Walkthrough: http://professorlaytonwalkthrough.blogspot.com/
Professor Layton series wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Layton_%28series%29

Example 1

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Hints

Of course, when the player is stuck in a game, hints can be collected and used.

Given the hints, the player is able to think through again, with possible solutions.

Solution

Example 2

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The first example might be an easy one. Let's try the 2nd example!

Hints

Solution

Example 3

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Hints

Solution

$95. The camera case costs $5 and the camera itself is $305.

Example 4

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Hints

Solutions

Example 5

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Hints

Solutions

Example 6

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Hints

Solutions

Example 7

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Hints

Solutions

There are two possible solution:

41286 - 7953 and 41268 - 7935

Example 8

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Hints

Solutions

Example 9

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Hints

Solutions

Example 10

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Hints

Solutions

Step by step:

Pour water from 16 quarts to 9 quarts.

Then 9 quarts to 7 quarts.

7 quarts to 16 quarts.

9 quarts to 7 quarts.

16 quarts to 9 quarts.

9 quarts to 7 quarts.

7 quarts to 16 quarts.

9 quarts to 7 quarts.

16 quarts to 9 quarts.

9 quarts to 7 quarts.

7 quarts to 16 quarts.

9 quarts to 7 quarts.

16 quarts to 9 quarts.

9 quarts to 7 quarts.

And finally, 7 quarts to 16 quarts.