1007936
This applet, with multiple levels of difficulty, enables the student to explore the meaning of balance, a key concept in developing mathematical understanding of solving equations. First, students select to work with two to four shapes of differening weights. The chosen simulation gives the weight of one shape and allows the student to experiment to balance the virtual scale by adding shapes of unknown weights. After balancing the scale, the student must determine the unknown weight for the shape or shapes and enter the information into the simulation. The student can check the solution and, if correct, proceed to a new problem. If incorrect, the student can continue to experiment with the shapes to balance the scale or choose to see the solution and move to a new problem. Copyright 2005 Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
Summary
| Subject keyword(s) | Algebra, Education, Equations, Linear, Mathematics, Process skills |
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| Grade level | Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Informal Education |
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| Intended audience | Learner |
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| Resource type | Audio/Visual, Instructional Material |
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| Resource format | image, image/jpeg, text, text/html, text/plain |
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| Rights | Copyright 1994-2004 MSTE. All rights reserved. |
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Using this resource
Found in collection(s)
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| Title | Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) |
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| Link | http://msteacher2.org/ |
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| Description | The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience. |
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| Full description and distribution of resources |
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Content contained within the resource
Balance Beam Activity The Concept: Use basic equation principles with the virtualBalance to find the weights of various figures. You are presented witha number of shapes and one of their weights is known. Your goal is tofind the weights of the other objects by finding the relationshipsbetween the objects of various weights. This is achieved with asimulation of a balance beam to tell you how the weights relate. Instructions: Put shapes on both sides of the Balance and observewhich side is heavier. When you are confident in your knowledge of theweight of the shapes, write the values into the appropriate fields.When you have all the weights filled in, ask the computer to check youranswer. Controls: Check: Click the "Check" button to see if you guessed the weightsright. When running an "incremental" puzzle, if the answer is right,you are advanced to the next level. Answer: See the answer. Displays the weights in the fields nextto the shapes. Clear: Takes all the shapes off the balance. New: Generate a new problem. ThePurpose: Placing virtual shapes on a virtual balance beam is presentedhere to allow students to learn basic equation-solving skills withoutthe bounds presented by a physical balance beam. The students are able to solve balance beam puzzles with randomweight on every try. The weights vary between selected puzzle modes. Gives 3 puzzle modes to test your skills on. The Simulation: Run the Balance in 4 different modes: 2 Shapes Standard, Weights vary randomly between 1 and 6 Complex, Weights varyrandomly between 2 and 10 3 Shapes Standard, Weights vary randomlybetween 1 and 6 Complex, Weights varyrandomly between 2 and 10 4 Shapes Standard, Weights vary randomlybetween 1 and 6 Medium, Weightsvary randomly between 1 and 10 Complex, Weights varyrandomly between 2 and 10 Incremental: You start with 2shapes and advance to 4 shapes Standard, Weights vary randomlybetween 1 and 6 Medium, Weights vary randomly between 1 and 10 Complex, Weights varyrandomly between 2 and 10 Problems? If you are having trouble loading theApplet, a possible solution is to update your Java Runtime Environment. To update your JRE, go to SUN's Java Webpageand follow the link to download Java software. If you are having problems using the applet, pleasenotify PavelSafronov. Please specify the applet you areusing, your web browser, operating system and the particular problemexperienced. Please be as detailed as possible. TheCredits: Applet designed and coded by PavelSafronov. Contact at MSTE offices: 505East Green Street, Suite 102 Champaign, IL 61820 Download the source code in txtfile: Balance To run the source code, change the extension to.java Please e-mail me with comments,error reports or complaints you haveabout the applet.
