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Wii Maths
BETA
The WiiMaths Project is aiming to investigate how the Nintendo Wii can used in conjunction with Mathematics Teachers and Curriculum Program. (M.T.C.P.) to create updated handson activities and reengage the students of 21 century in mathematics?
This project uses the MTCP ( Mathematics Curriculum and Teaching Program : activity bank (Volume1 & 2) written by Charles Lovitt & Doug Clarke and updates the practical component (previously video tapes and other stimulus materials) using the Nintendo Wii and its games to now give students a hands on experience (of large events like ten pin bowling) within the classroom.
In this way they can link the maths topics and solve problems as the play along in the class. It also is links into educational research being done by Derek Robertson at the Consolarium in Scotland (Centre for Games and
Learning http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ictineducation/gamesbasedlearning/ ) around Games-based learning.
About the Wii
NINTENDO
CONNECTIVITY
The Wii console is able to connect to the Internet through its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi or through a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, with both methods allowing players to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service
The Wii is the 7th Generation Video Game console for Nintendo and was launched in December 2006.
THE Wii
Since its launch the Wii has found a new market of games "Casual Gamers" and is quickly building a reputation as the "Family Gaming Console". As of December 31, 2008 the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales.
ACCESSORIES
The number of Wii accessories is almost limitless, from the Wii Fit Board, Streering Wheels, Nunchuks, Tennis Rackets, Laser Guns, Crossbows and even Cooking Utensils.
FEATURES
The Wii Remote is the primary controller for the console. It uses a combination of built-in accelerometers and infrared detection, using LEDs and a Sensor Bar. This design allows users to control the game using physical gestures as well as traditional button presses. The controller connects to the console using Bluetooth and features rumble as well as an internal speaker.
GAMES
The Wii Series of games, which include Wii Sports, Wii Play, Wii Fit, Wii Chess, and Wii Music, has quickly risen to become one of the most popular and commercially successful franchises in video gaming history.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii (April 2009)
The Project
The Wii Maths Project is part of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Developments - KnowledgeBank Next Generation Research Projects.
The question I have set out to answer is "How can the Nintendo Wii, be used in conjunction with Mathematics Teachers and Curriculum Program. (M.T.C.P.) to improve student learning and engagement in mathematics?"
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/researchinnovation/kbnextgen/default.htm
Activities
Wii Play Fishing - Additon / Subtraction / Negative Numbers
In this activity, you use Wii Play Fishing as a whole class additon and subtraction challenge, with negative numbers and doubling thrown in for good measure.
Wii Bowling - The Maths of Ten Pin Bowling
In this activity students use Wii Sport - Ten Pin Bowling to investigate the scoring system of game, its rules and the skills required in a virtual game with their classmates.
Wii Swimming - Decimals, Subtraction & Time
In this activity students use Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, to put themselves at an Olympic 100m Freestyle Event.
Wii Golf - The Maths of Golf
In this activity students use Wii Sport - Golf to investigate the scoring system of game, using addition and subtraction with an emphasis negative numbers.
Wii Fit - Body Mass Index
In this activity students use Wii fit - to work out their BMI and plot in with other BMI on a graph
Wii Play Tanks - Angles
In this activity students use Wii Play - to investigate angles and how refraction is used in the game, to help distroy tanks.
Wii Maths Reflection Sheet
Contact us
Project Contact
Tristan Mether
Web: www.tristanmether.com
Email: tristan_mether.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tmether
Skype: tmether
FriendFeed: tmether
http://www.trafps.vic.edu.au
Trafalgar Primary School has a population of approximately 320 students and this year is running 14 composite classrooms with specialist programs in Library, Visual Arts & Integrated ICT.
References
Wii Play - Fishing
Players use the Wii Remote as a fishing rod, to hook specific paper fish and then yank upwards to grab them. Points are added and subtracted depending on the fish caught. A display at the top of the screen shows which fish gives bonus points if caught, and changes every 30 seconds or so.
Lets go fishing class...
This activity can be used as a small group activity or as a whole class lesson starter. Pick a few students to come up and be the fisherpersons for the day . I would only play this game a one player as you get a better screen display for other students around the room to see.
The idea of the activity is to have one person fishing and the others in the group adding up the score. The score is automatically added up in this game as you play along , so you will want to cover up the score with a small piece of card. (Sorry if you are using a data projector, maybe a black bit of fabric might help you).
As the fisherperson fishes the others in the class add up the score of
the fisher. If you get a "small fish" then you subtract 50 points. So
if you are only good at catching small fish then you will quickly
get into negative numbers (the worse the fisher, then the better
the teaching point).
With every bonus fish that is caught, then double points
for a fish of that size are added to the score.
Printable Lesson Plan (PDF)
Card to cover
up the score.
Wii Bowling
The scoring system of ten pin bowling as well as being quite mathematical has some interesting rules in relation to 'spares' and 'strikes'. Students will use Wii bowling to help then to learn and apply the rules and investigate the way to get the highest score and how this is achieved.
Before the fun part of the lesson begins, run your class through a quick lowdown on how a game of Ten Pin Bowling is scored. (See Scoring Instruction Sheet for more details). Tell the students to watch when the game is being played and see if they can score along in their heads. Will their scoring predictions come true?
Choose two students to play a game of Wii Bowling, while the others in the class watch (and Cheer) their classmates on.
As the students move through the frames, stop and ask the students to make predictions. What will happen if Scott scores a 7, next? If Sherri gets a Strike next what will her score be? Stopping at the start of frames 2, 4 and 9 are good places in the game for questioning. Before frame 10 is also good if the game is close.
Next send the students off to a place where they can see the screen. Provide then with a blank scoring sheet (see attached) and get them to score along with the game, while the score on the sheet is covered up.
Having the teacher bowl at this stage is a good idea, as they can control the scoring on the game, by the effort they put into their bowl and hence control the difficulty of the mathematics being completed, by judging the mood of the classroom. Ramp up the mathematical complexity by bowling 2 or 3 Strikes in a row.
Stop again to ask questions along the way. What will happen if the last three frames finish with Strikes? What will my score be? What is the difference between the highest and lowest scores?
Bowling Score Sheet (PDF)
Bowling Scoring System Explained (PDF)
Wii Swimming
Wii Swimming with Decimals (Using Mario & Sonic at the Oympic Games)
- Have 2 students start the Games (100m Freestyle) using Characters of their choice.
- Students (whole class) Record the World & Olympic Record.
- At the end of the race the scores in Decimal (time to 100ths of Seconds will be displayed)
- Quickly jot down the score for the 2 players in your class.
- QUESTION 1 "What is the difference between the scores of the two players in our class?"
- QUESTION 2 "What is the difference between the WR and each of the two players?"
- QUESTION 3 "What maths skills/understandings do you need to know to work out the last two questions?" (Decimals, Subtraction and the conversion of time [minutes to Seconds])
- Two more players have a turn record their times and names as a class.
- QUESTION 4 "What is the difference between the times of players (1 & 3) & ( 2 & 4) ?"
- Two more players have a turn record their times and names as a class
- QUESTION 5 "What is the difference between the times of players (1 & 3) & ( 2 & 4) ?"
- QUESTION 6 "What is the sum of the three lowest scores?"
- QUESTION 7 "Order all the times form the Highest amount of time to the lowest amount of time?"
- QUESTION 8 "What is the sum of all the times in the 50 - 60 second range ?" Convert to minutes. (You might like to change the range depending, the times scored. I chose the range with the highest about of values to add together.
Wii Golf
In this activity students will explore the use of positive and negative numbers, through the scoring system of golf.
In Golf names are given for the number of stokes taken on each hole. If you score the expected amount for a hole that is called a Par. If you get a stoke over the expected amount that is called a Bogey and one stoke under the expected amount is called a Birdie. The number of stokes under and over and their names are in the table below:
ALBATROSS -3
EAGLE -2
BIRDIE -1
PAR 0
BOGEY +1
DOUBLE BOGEY +2
TRIPLE BOGEY +3
Golf is a very mathematical game, from the distance to the pin, angles of shots, wind speed and so on. The first task of the students is to while a person/persons place a game of Wii Golf, they are to look for all of the maths that is being used in the game. In my class we came up with 8.
After listing these, the students are then given a verbal 9/18 hole golf course to solve and come up with a final score, linking the naming of the stokes to the total score:
Example: Hole 1 - Eagle
Hole 2 - Bogey
Hole 3 - Par
Wii Fit - BMI
In this activity students will use the Wii Fit balance board to get an introduction into how to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index) .
To calculate the BMI on the Wii Fit, you must enter in your height, age and the Wii Balance Board works out your BMI.
Using the Wii Fit Prgram and Balance Board is not a very effective use of classroom learning time. For this activity Wii Fit is uses as a tuning in activity and whole class focus before students go off and work out their own BMI.
To calculate your BMI, you use the following formula:
BMI ( kg/m² ) = weight in kilograms / height in meters²
The metric bmi formula accepts weight measurements in kilograms & height measurements in either cm's or meters. 1 meter = 100cm meters² = meters * meters
BMI Weight Status Categories
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 - 24.9 Normal
25 - 29.9 Overweight
30 & Above Obese
Some other tools that will be useful in this lesson are:
- Set of Bathroom Scales
- A tape measure / Rulers stuck to the wall.
- Calculators
Wii Play - Tanks and Angles
In this activity students will use Wii Play - Tanks to investigate angles and how projectiles can refract at a mirrored angle.
WiiMaths.com is owned and operated by Tristan Mether (C) 2009 with funding from the Victorian Dept of Education and Early Childhood Development - Knowledge Bank Next Generation
