WOW! Signal Knob Teacher Creates an APP
WileDMath
by Chanda L. Greco
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Signal Knob Middle School math teacher, Jeff Wile, presents his new "baby," WileDMath, a computer application he created based on Virginia's Math SOL.
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Signal Knob Middle School math teacher, Jeff Wile, has a background in computer programming from Millersville University. After purchasing an iPad a year ago and exploring the uses in the classroom, he decided he wanted a new challenge. He immediately relied on his strength in programming and decided his next challenge would be to create apps.
In September, Jeff began teaching himself the new programming language needed to create such an app. Each day he shared his experiences with his students. He wanted his students to see that learning never stops and can be challenging at all levels, but there are also rewards at all levels. Once he mastered the language, he spent October and November designing WileDMath.
WileDMath is a math app that can be used in grades 7 through 10 and aligns with the Virginia Standards of Learning. The app has various categories of practice problems based on the SOLs. With each correct answer, students earn credits, and students use the credits to play mini-arcade style games within the app. Wile did rely on student input and feedback for his ideas throughout the process. He even has students who have brought him ideas of their own to see if he could make it into an app. His classes are now using the daily download data in class to solve real-life math problems and to discuss different statistics.
Wile says that he will always look to improve his app by making it more user-friendly and adding more games and grade levels to it. He already has an update pending with iTunes. He plans to continue with his app writing and possibly create a WileD series of apps for different subjects. Jeff's WileDMath app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes Store. You can also follow Jeff's progress with his apps on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/Wiledmath and @WiledMath.
Jeff Wile graduated from Millersville University with a degree in Secondary Math Education and a minor in Computer Science. He and his wife, Dana, reside in Woodstock. This is his second year as a math teacher at Signal Knob Middle School in Strasburg, Virginia.