Talk:Unit 1: What is Geometer's SketchPad?

Developmental Tryout -- Katie Matthews (talk) 22:06, 24 April 2013 (EDT)

Hi Celeste,

It looks like you've made a good start on a fun topic! I've done some work with GSP and it's a great program with a lot of possibilities. I'll start by commenting on your Introduction page, and then Unit 1.

I like your brief introduction and listing of the performance objectives. Consider reviewing the five-component objectives described by the textbook, and include how each objective will be measured after the learned capability verb (good verbs, by the way). The same comments about course objectives applies to your unit objectives, which are even shorter.

Consider adding an introduction to unit 1 before having students access resources-- just a brief description of what GSP is (at its basic level, a computer program). Then, students have a context for accessing the resources and completing the activities. It also might be a good idea to link to the GSP website so students can find more information on their website and purchase it, if they wish. After all, students can't do the activity on the page without the software...

I like that you just allow students to play with the software in this first unit. There's no greater way to become acquainted with a new computer program than to just experiment with it. The activity also provides some structure to that experimentation.

What is the group that they are reflecting with? Is this done in person or online?

Overall, I see a lot of potential in this course. It definitely builds from here, going into benefits and then actual lesson design. The capstone project of designing a lesson is a great way to bring all the students new knowledge together. Great start!

Katie

Hey Celeste,

I was super interested in your wiki because GSP is something I am looking to use more often with my own class to relate topics together. For example using transformations to teach properties of parallelograms/triangles/etc.

The video resource you included about how to use GSP was very helpful and I will refer to it when I need it for my own classroom.

I love that part of the unit is time to explore GSP on your own and make your own discoveries. Maybe the participant can fill out some sort of graphic organizer or K-W-L chart before/during/after the "play" to keep track of things they had questions on or what they want to discover.

I was delighted to see the activity you included on transformations. It is a great guided lesson that utilizes the technology, make their own meaning, and extend their learning.

It is great that you have the students discuss with peers. I have the same question as Katie. Is it done in person, or online?

One more suggestion: Maybe you could include some questions in the unit to inspire and focus thinking before viewing the resources. Also, is there a way to access GSP over the internet. I myself own a copy, but what if someone does not?

Great job!

Kristen

-- Keriann Earl (talk) 14:36, 27 April 2013 (EDT)

Celeste, I personally have never heard or used the Geometer’s Sketch Pad but it looks very cool! This is a very engaging topic and I was excited to learn what it was and how it worked. A suggestion I would make would be that the reflection portion is a great idea but maybe have a few guided questions to help spark the discussion. Of course it is great to have enough time to reflect on questions and share as a group but you could also have a few starter questions to get people thinking and promote the discussion. But a good start to an interesting topic!

-Keriann

Instructor feedback on your draft unit -- Jianwei Zhang (talk) 15:03, 1 May 2013 (EDT)

I'm pleased to see this mini-course coming into a nice structure. Further improvements to be made:

Course front page

Your opening paragraph can say more about the target learner, and give brief description of GSP.

The following course objectives could be better sequenced: (3 should move up front) 1) Participants will be able to navigate Geometer's SketchPad and Identify the tools incorporated in the program.

2) Participants will be able to supplement/create current mathematics lesson with Geometer's SketchPad.

3) Participants will be able to identify the advantages of using Geometer's SketchPad in their classroom.

Your unit 1 objectives need to be rephrased. Currently they describe learning activities instead of what the learner will get out of the activities.

Right under "To get started:" You may add a few sentences to provide an overview of the nature/function of GSP, to help guide the learner's attention when watching the video and reading the docs.