Catch 'em all! How teachers are using Pok¨¦mon GO to teach Maths
Math isn't for everyone. For some, it comes easily, while for others, it's a hair-pulling, eye-watering ordeal! But then, there are teachers who seem heaven-sent for these struggling students. One such teacher has found a unique way to make learning math more enjoyable for all: by using Pok¨¦mon Go!
Pok¨¦mon GO to the rescue
Dr. Colleen Mitchell, an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Iowa, wanted to make math fun and exciting for her students. She found the answer in a game she enjoyed: Pok¨¦mon GO! By incorporating this game, she created Pok¨¦Math.
Pok¨¦mon GO, released in 2016, is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game and part of the Pok¨¦mon franchise.?
It uses mobile devices with GPS to let players locate, capture, train, and battle virtual Pok¨¦mon that appear in real-world locations.?
The game quickly gained worldwide attention by allowing players to catch Pok¨¦mon in their surroundings.?Players explore their communities, finding Pok¨¦mon, resources, and challenges based on their location.
How does Pok¨¦Math work?
Pok¨¦Math is a one-semester math course at the University of Iowa, offered in the spring. It covers foundational math concepts through the world of Pok¨¦mon GO.
Imagine catching Pok¨¦mon while learning set theory! Keeping track of all those Pok¨¦mon can be overwhelming, so the class starts with organising and classifying them using set theory. Students learn how to combine, intersect, and exclude various characteristics to manage hundreds of Pok¨¦mon.
Next, the course dives into functions, helping students understand Pok¨¦mon stats and performance in battles. They explore how these statistics impact gameplay and strategy.
The second unit focuses on probability. Pok¨¦mon GO is full of random events: when and where Pok¨¦mon appear, their strength, catch rates, and the chance of encountering rare variants. Pok¨¦Math studies these probabilities, teaching students how to maximise their chances and make the most of in-game bonuses.
Finally, the course tackles rates of change, examining how a Pok¨¦mon's health fluctuates during battles.?
Instead of traditional exams, the class is project-based, reducing anxiety and sparking curiosity for Math.?
Imagine the excitement if such a class were introduced in India¡ªstudents might just start loving math as much as they love catching Pikachu!
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