ADDITION TOOL
Use the tool to solve 582 + 165
First, use the tool to make 582. Click check when you are done. [All functionality remains the same except that “Total = n” doesn’t show.]
Feedback loop as appropriate, and when correct, that number ‘locked’. [The PV material moves to the top of the boxes and a line appears to partition it off? Grey out that part of the boxes?]
Next, use the tool to make 165. Click check when you are done. [Operating in the bottom part of the boxes – same process as above, incl feedback.]
Now, click join to join the two together, then use the arrows to group the blocks. Enter the answer in the box when you are done. [at this point the +1/-1 and rubbish bins would go from the bottom]
Feedback loop as appropriate.
SUBTRACTION TOOL
Use the tool to solve 582 - 165
First, use the tool to make 582. Click check when you are done. [All functionality remains the same except that “Total = n” doesn’t show.]
Feedback loop as appropriate and when correct that number moves to top. [The PV material moves to the top of the boxes and a line appears to partition it off? At this point the +1/-1 and rubbish bins would go from the bottom.]
Next, use the down arrows to move 165 into the lower boxes. You may need to break up some blocks to help you. Click check when you are done. [Arrows appear allowing the user to move blocks one at a time from the top to the bottom. User can still break up and join blocks in top part.]
Feedback loop as appropriate.
You started with 582 and removed 165, how much is left in the top boxes? Enter your answer below.
1. We need to record the sum being solved above the step by step instructions so that the purpose of all the steps is not lost. Just a line to say “Find [a] – [b]”
2. For the addition and subtraction ones we won't want to have multiple bases. I figure that space could be used for the Check button, since the one with multiple bases won't have a check button.
3. Feedback loop for making the first number:
a. “Sorry, that's not the correct number of blocks. Use the tool to make [2736]. Click Check when you are done.”
b. “Sorry, that's still not the correct number of blocks. Check the number of blocks in the [thousands], [hundreds], [tens], [and] [ones] column[s]. When you have made [2736] click Check to continue.” (insert as appropriate)
c. “Sorry, that's still not the correct number of blocks. The correct number is now shown. Click Next to continue.” (change “Check” to “Next” J)
d. “You have made [2736] but you could have made it with fewer blocks [like this]. Click Next to continue.” (can we animate it changing to the way that uses the fewest blocks?)
4. Feedback loop for moving number down:
a. “Sorry, you haven't moved the right number of blocks. Use the arrows to move [2617] into the lower boxes. Click Check when you are done.”
b. “Sorry, you still haven't moved the right number of blocks. Check the number of blocks you have moved in the [thousands], [hundreds], [tens], [and] [ones] column[s]. When you have [2617] in the lower boxes click Check to continue.” (insert as appropriate)
c. “Sorry, you still haven't moved the right number of blocks. The correct number is now shown. Click Next to continue.” (change “Check” to “Next” J)
d. “You have moved [2617] but you could have moved fewer blocks [like this]. Click Next to continue.” (animate combining blocks as appropriate)
5. You started with [2736] in the upper boxes and moved [2617] to the lower boxes. What is the answer to [2736] – [2617]? Enter the answer and click Check to continue.”
a. “Sorry, that is not the correct answer. Try again and click Check when you are done.”
b. “Sorry, that is still not the correct answer. There were [2736] in the upper boxes and you took away [2617]. There is [2736] – [2617] left in the upper boxes. Enter the answer and click Check to continue.”
c. “Sorry, that is still not the correct answer. [2736] – [2617] = [119]. Click Next for another problem.”
d. “Correct! [2736] – [2617] = [119]. Click Next for another problem.”
5. You started with [2736] and took away [2617]. What is the answer to
[2736] – [2617]? Enter the answer and click
Check to continue.”
a. “Sorry, that is not the correct answer. Try again and click Check when
you are done.”
b. “Sorry, that is still not the correct answer. You started with [2736]
and took away [2617]. There is [2736] – [2617] left in the upper boxes.
Enter the answer and click Check to continue.”
c. “Sorry, that is still not the correct answer. [2736] – [2617] = [119].
Click Next for another problem.”
6. I guess we need a Reset and a New problem button somewhere J
7. We need to untangle the up/down arrows from the numbers in those columns.
New plan for the addition one:
We are now going to have the addition one go like this:
1. Make the first number (feedback loop as per 3 above)
2. Make the second number (feedback loop the same)
3. Tell the user to use the up arrows to add the two numbers together (no auto merge since that is not the way we actually add (we do it a bit at a time)).
4. Ask the user to enter the answer (feedback loop as per 5 above – pretty much)