BrainQuake

The image displays a sample, representative page in an algebra textbook. The image provides an example of contrasting approaches to developing mathematical conceptual thinking.

The image displays a very challenging BrainQuake Gears puzzle that builds students' number sense. The puzzle is specifically designed to support conceptual thinking and problem-solving skill development. Because the interface does not rely upon "speaking the language" of math's symbols and syntax, supposedly lower performing students can access and engage with this challenging problem.

Developing math conceptual thinking requires materials designed to do just that. Reliance upon the symbols & syntax as the interface to achieve that goal is virtually guaranteed to fail, at least initially, for too many Ss. #TeacherSky #EduSky #math #EdTech @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social

The BrainQuake Tanks puzzle Short introduction to the BrainQuake Tanks puzzle

We design our puzzles to develop conceptual thinking, a need Ts express to us over & over again. Request a free pilot to determine if BrainQuake might help reveal a more accurate picture of your Ss' math proficiency. @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social
brainquake.com/request-a-pi...
vimeo.com/506218459

The image presents three math puzzles on number sense, linear growth and functions, and proportional reasoning. The puzzles were designed to break the Symbol Barrier, or the obstacle to learning that math's symbols and syntax presents to many math learners. The puzzles feature high quality graphics and cute characters to minimize math anxiety and increase potential engagement. BrainQuake's puzzles are backed by a number of third-party research studies speaking to their efficacy and validity. www.brainquake.com

Looking for high-impact, low dose supplemental math content from a 3-time U.S. DOE SBIR winner? Our puzzles increase problem-solving skills & reduce math anxiety. We run free pilots for up to 100 users. Let's chat! www.brainquake.com @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social #TeacherSky #math #EdTech #EduSky

The image depicts a linear growth and functions problem. The puzzle design allows users to engage with complex mathematical thinking without requiring a formal knowledge of math's symbols and syntax. Transfer to using the symbols and syntax occurs later in the BrainQuake platform once students have developed a conceptual understanding as well as an increased sense of math self-confidence and self-efficacy.

We ground our work in Lave's 1990s research on street math. We can develop & assess Ss'
number & spatial sense & creative problem-solving skills, especially re: the CCSS Mathematical Practices while bolstering Ss' self-confidence & -efficacy. @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social #Edtech #Edusky

The image depicts a proportional reasoning puzzle. Players have 45 units to distribute to two tanks with a capacity of 75 and 60 units, respectively. Players allocate their 45 units, using multiple turns, by setting a rectangular mechanism, divided into eighths, in accordance with their prospective solutions.

For too many Ss entering middle school, math's symbols & syntax offer a poor user interface. More aligned to the printing press than teaching & learning, there are better paths to student mastery of & comfort w/ the symbols. www.brainquake.com #EduSky #TeacherSky @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social

The image presents a complex proportional reasoning puzzle. The goal is to distribute, over multiple turns, 100 units into four tanks, with values of 90, 30, 135, and 45. A distribution mechanism allows for control of the allocation of the 100 units via the creation of four separate partitions of a circle, represented in percentages.

So often teachers share the challenge of teaching mathematical thinking vs. teaching discrete, concrete skills. We do our best to try to help out in that complex pedagogical space. #EduSky #EdTech #TeacherSky @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social

The image displays a teacher's view of BrainQuake's Tiles puzzle. This example is rated as Hard in terms of difficulty. The image illustrates how teachers can pull up puzzle examples on the BrainQuake platform for use in small group instruction without needing to assign a puzzle to students in the school's LMS.

We love learning from teachers. Yesterday, one teacher observed she could use our web app for small group instruction, without assigning any puzzles via LMS. We designed our platform explicitly assuming teachers know better than us re: how to use BrainQuake in class. #TeacherSky #EduSky

The image presents a complex proportional reasoning puzzle. The goal is to distribute, over multiple turns, 100 units into four tanks, with values of 90, 30, 135, and 45. A distribution mechanism allows for control of the allocation of the 100 units via the creation of four separate partitions of a circle, represented in percentages.

So often teachers share the challenge of teaching mathematical thinking vs. teaching discrete, concrete skills. We do our best to try to help out in that complex pedagogical space. #EduSky #EdTech #TeacherSky @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social

The image displays a teacher's view of BrainQuake's Tiles puzzle. This example is rated as Hard in terms of difficulty. The image illustrates how teachers can pull up puzzle examples on the BrainQuake platform for use in small group instruction without needing to assign a puzzle to students in the school's LMS.

We love learning from teachers. Yesterday, one teacher observed she could use our web app for small group instruction, without assigning any puzzles via LMS. We designed our platform explicitly assuming teachers know better than us re: how to use BrainQuake in class. #TeacherSky #EduSky

The Gears Puzzle In this video, BrainQuake Chief Scientist, Dr. Keith Devlin, solves three instances of the gear puzzle and explains the mathematics that is hidden behind the gear…

Novel, complex performance tasks don't have to be burdened by symbolic representations/notation. Here's co-founder @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social introducing our flagship gears puzzle (Wuzzit Trouble for those who've been with us for awhile!). vimeo.com/266068599 #TeacherSky #EduSky #edtech #math

The image presents a complex, puzzle-based proportional reasoning problem. Players, over multiple turns, distribute 100 units into four tanks, seeking to fill all tanks simultaneously. The four tanks have a value of 90, 30, 135, and 45.

Our entire focus is on providing students with access to rich, less-initally-symbol dependent interfaces to mathematics. When we change the interface, we can reveal so much more of students' innate/latent mathematical thinking ability. @profkeithdevlin.bsky.social #EduSky #MathSky #TeacherSky

Love this resource! Thanks for highlighting it, Libo!

Number sense puzzle, linear growth and functions puzzle, proportional reasoning puzzle examples. Each puzzle is specifically designed to support students to develop the mathematical thinking skills reflected in the Standards for Mathematical Practice, as well as Common Core standards' skills.

Happy New Year, everyone! We're excited to connect with teachers looking for innovative, supplemental content specifically designed to develop students' math thinking skills. #math #mathteachers #k12 #teachersky