Instructional math Web site going multilingual

The universal language of mathematics is in the process of truly becoming universal, thanks to the work of professors at USU who are creating a multilingual math education Web site.

The content of USU’s instructional math Web site, the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, is being translated into French, Chinese and Arabic and should be available for use within the next two weeks.

The Web site, www.nlvm.usu.edu, is already available in Spanish.

Robert Heal, a professor in the department of mathematics and statistcs who has played an active role in the site’s development, said the availability of mathematical instruction is key to one’s comprehension. With new translations, Heal said he hopes even more people from all over the world will take advantage of the interactive manipulatives.

“Mathematics is the universal language. It is the same in China, England, Egypt or here. It is the same in Mexico and Canada. But it is all in the way it is presented and represented,” Heal said.

The site offers instructional and interactive mathematical activities designed to help students better understand algebra, geometry, operations, probability, data analysis and measurements. There are more than 100 manipulatives.

The manipulatives include mazes, logic puzzles, word games, coin tosses and geoboards. The games are realistic and much like the material items students actually use in classrooms.

“The only thing you can’t do (with geoboards) is flip the rubber bands at your neighbor,” Heal said.

While the activities are geared toward children in kindergarten through the 12th grade, Heal said people of all ages use it. Teachers are also using it as part of their curriculum.

The site receives more than six million hits during the work day. However, Heal said one must consider weekdays as only Monday through Thursday – activity on the site decreases substantially as the weekend nears.

“These kids, on Friday they don’t work as hard. We have proof,” Heal said.

However, he warns users of the stimulation and amusement provided by the manipulatives. He said, “I warn you – if you go there, you might get behind in your schoolwork. It is quite captivating.”

Larry Cannon, a professor of mathematics and statistics who has also been involved in the Web site’s creation, said they have been selling the software to countries around the world. Cannon said they have licensing agreements with Australia, New Zealand and Canada. They have also sold it to Norway, where it is being translated into Danish.

Cannon, Heal and Jim Dorward, a professor in elementary education, began working on the site in 1999 and at that time, such an idea was quite innovative, Heal said.

As a professor of mathematics and statistics, he said the potential of things like the computer and the Internet were always very obvious to him. Heal said he and his colleagues wanted to take full advantage of their resources and provide their students with the best.

The Web site, with its creation funded by the National Science Foundation, has undergone many successful revisions. Heal said the library of manipulatives is an ongoing project. They are always looking to improve the award-winning site and

welcome suggestions.

Cannon said they have received positive feedback from users from not only teachers and students locally, but from all over the world.

“We think it is the best. We are not competing with anyone with this, but we want students to have as many tools as possible available,” Cannon said. “It is a very exciting and satisfactory thing. We had a vision, and we worked a long time to bring it to fruition. We are gratified by the feedback from teachers and students who are finding it helpful in learning.”