Interactive Balance

This interactive environment can be used with learners, perhaps on an interactive whiteboard, for many different purposes.

It is ideal for exploring the concept of equivalence, and for introducing children to the way this can be recorded mathematically using the equals sign, as well as offering a context in which to practise using inequality signs (< and >). Using the balance to compare the two sides of a number sentence encourages 'relational' thinking (in other words, being able to describe the relationship between the two sides of the number sentence). This deepens children's understanding of arithmetic as well as building strong foundations for learning algebra later. 

The environment can also be used as a tool to support learners as they work on specific tasks (such as some of those found in the this primary feature).

It is worth noting that the calculator tool uses BODMAS, so if learners are inputting number sentences which use multiple operations, they may need introducing to this convention.