Unit 2: Why use Geometer's SketchPad? Navigate a lesson to find out!
Return Home: Integrating Geometer's SketchPad into Mathematics Curriculum
Unit Objectives
- Participants will analyze a lesson for benefits of incorporating Geometer's SketchPad.
- Participants will become aware of any possible disadvantages of incorporating Geometer's SketchPad into your lessons.
Sample Lesson
The following project integrates Geometer's SketchPad with the topic of Geometry: Transformations in a 8th grade classroom. The project fulfills the common core standard 8.G.1.-Verify experimentally the properties of rotations, reflections and translations. I created this project as an extension of previous lessons on transformations. I wanted to give students the opportunity to showcase what they have learned about transformations and apply the topic to a possible real world application.
The following are student's projects:
After Reviewing the Lesson answer the following questions:
1) Did the project integrate Geometer's SketchPad appropriately?
2) What should/could be changed to improved the integration of Geometer's SketchPad for this topic?
3) What are the benefits of using Geometer's SketchPad to teach/review transformations?
4) Do you see any possible disadvantages of using Geometer's Sketchpad in this lesson? for this topic?
Additional Questions about Geometer's SketchPad:
5) How should GS be incorporated into lessons to be effective?
6) What would be an ineffective manner of using GS?
My Thoughts on Geometer's SketchPad:
- Benefits of incorporating Geometer's SketchPad
1) Geometer's SketchPad allows for hands-on manipulation of mathematical concepts. This will allow a deeper understanding of the material while increasing students attention during class.
2) Geometer's SketchPad can be implemented in various levels of mathematics and multiple grade levels.
* Disadvantages of incorporating Geometer's SketchPad
1) It does take students time to adjust to using the software program and instructional time will need to be used for students to become acquainted.
Others Thoughts/Research on Geometer's SketchPad:
Geometer's Sketchpad in a College Algebra Classroom
PEDAGOGICAL USABILITY OF THE GEOMETER’S SKETCHPAD (GSP)
The Benefits of Geometers Sketchpad GSP and Why We Should Adopt It