Timed with the advent of a new academic school year, the Apple iOS 18 is set to release this fall, offering features that may completely change the way teachers and students manage math lessons. Beyond offering new calculator features, the Apple iOS 18 is also designed to solve math problems in a specific student’s handwriting.

According to EdTrust, 40 percent of all students were deemed to score below basic 8th grade math on a national assessment test in 2022. The rapid acceleration of technological tools that can impact learning have already and will continue to revolutionize the way K12 students learn both inside and outside the classroom.

Math Notes Capabilities

Although Apple’s latest operating system upgrade promises many new features, the one making the most significant impact in the classroom will be Math Notes. Students will now be able to either type or physically write out math problems and use artificial intelligence to solve them. The tool then mimics a child’s writing when they use the Apple pencil tool, displaying the answer in a student’s own handwriting. The idea is that this upgrade will allow students to solve math problems in a greater number of mediums – not just within the confines of a calculator keypad or piece of paper.

Students can also specify what value a variable may be, for example when practicing new material or to create a personal budget. The app also has a graphing feature that can visually update equations automatically, allowing students to key in or hand write an equation (or several) and see what they visually look like on a graph.

In addition, all previous work, equations, unit conversions, and useful formulas can be stored and filed as notes for easy reference.

Neater, More Legible Handwriting

The new Apple iOS 18 will also offer an improved Apple Pencil and Smart Script feature, which will help improve a student’s natural handwriting. Although the app will maintain the student’s unique writing style, it will also smooth out writing so notes are neater and easier to read. In addition, the resulting handwritten text can be edited just like printed text in a word processor. Students can use the Apple Pencil to add a paragraph, erase a word or two, or even paste typed words that appear like they were written in their own handwriting.

Finally, students will be able to re-organize their notes more easily by dividing material into subsections as well as electronically highlighting words, sentences, or paragraphs.

How It May Impact Learning

As with all artificial intelligence tools, educators often have concerns about students using Math Notes to cheat on their math homework. However, some professors in higher education encourage teachers to partner with AI, using the technology as an opportunity to explain how the problems may have been understood by machines as well as where and why errors occurred. This mindset will no doubt trickle down to secondary schools, if not already.

When teachers use AI as a partner, students can often better understand the thinking and logic behind the automated computations. Another benefit can be the ability to see technology’s limitations and where they, as human mathematicians, can contribute their intelligence and skills.

The bottom line is that Math Notes, along with any other automated teaching tools, will have their place in the future of education. The goal will be to use this technology to help accelerate learning for those students who will benefit the most, freeing up educators’ time to provide the human support, encouragement, and patience that other students may need. Helping students learn to embrace and use technology wisely will be just as or more important than how these tools help students master the subject matter material itself.

Protecting Apple Devices

All of this technology comes with a price tag in terms of keeping up with the devices and equipment necessary to bring these resources into the hands of students. Maximizing the life and use of this equipment is critical for school districts across the country.

For years, MAXCases has developed a line of products specifically to protect Apple devices, including iPads and Macbooks. Our designs are driven by feedback from teachers, students and MAXCases customers worldwide.

“We develop products expressly for educators,” explained MAXCases CEO Al Giazzon. “Our protective products are for the leading education brands and devices and carefully crafted for the rigors of today’ classrooms. We strive to evolve to meet the changing needs of schools, keep our prices affordable for budget-strapped schools, and offer custom logos, colors and features to help enhance school spirit and meet unique needs.”