Find one of the suggested applets or explore GeoGebra and explain how it can be used. What are the advantages of using the computer instead of hands on materials or drawings?
One clear advantage of using computer software or programs is that you can play around more with the shapes and lines. Plus, they are fun! Students will be able to see quickly how the area and perimeter are related, as they can adjust line segments and make new shapes instantly. They can easily tweak shapes and see how much or how little the measurements change. This would be great for making conjectures, and getting quick results for wonderings about shapes and their properties. Everything in GeoGebra is labeled well, so it is helpful with all of the new vocabulary students would be learning. There can also be a lot of differentiation available with these kinds of programs. It would be great for students who don't have much control over their hands to make shapes on graph paper with pencils. For example, a student with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), like my nephew, Joseph, would be able to use this program. This makes me hopeful because it gives kids like Joseph a chance to participate and learn with the rest of the class, instead of just watching from the sidelines. This is another huge advantage to using computers, as it helps some special kiddos keep up with the rest of their class. GeoGebra is a really neat tool! You get to make any kind of shape, and it plots the points and gives you the lengths and measurements of line segments, angles, etc. There is so much you can do with it, and I bet students would take to it well and figure it out in no time.
I like the approach Meg takes when writing about how technology can help physically disabled students to participate in regular classroom work. GeoGabra is engaging, bright and exciting to look at. I think, as with all technology, it is a tool to be used in collaboration with physical models and discussion. GeoGabra gives students the ability to work with virtual 3d shapes, allowing students to understand the concepts of volume and area measurement. I might use this in teaching about area measurement by having students move geometric shapes on GeoGabra in order to find similarities in area. rectangle to parallogram, etc.
I think it is also worth noting that it is important to use technology in a way that will deepen the students' understanding of the material rather than simply as a fun alternative. As meg mentions above, using the software programs allows students to explore and "play around" with the shapes instantly. Through the use of this tool students will have the ability to make connections between the different shapes more easily. I support students with Intensive Needs and I also agree with Meg's suggestions to use technology as a form of inclusion for students who would otherwise be unable to participate.
Geogeobra is a great tool to allow students to discover through play/investigation. Geometry and algebra ideas are represented both in visual and numerical representations which allows students to generalize the ideas better. I often have found that students did not make the connections between numbers on paper and what those same numbers represented in real life. Yes, students can test ideas and rethink things without a lot of trouble...no erasers needed! Re testing can be fun. Also yes, to making the task accessible to all if the school provides the technology, but I believe it is more about an ability to gain an understanding that the numbers represent a location in a multi-dimensional world that we live. Being able to manipulate ordered pairs and see a pyramid in three dimensions is simply better than trying to have students struggle trying to draw the example. The ability to examine a deeper understanding takes time and the class just gained time in not trying to draw the representation themselves. Focusing a student discussion on their discoveries would be able to occur. Many students level of interest would be raised, teachers are more able to conference with students and facilitate the teachings. How we use technology to extend teaching will be an important discussion, as it seems that many times it currently stills time in a meaningless ways of off task student behavior, unprepared or trained teachers, and technology issues in the schools (slowness of technology, technology not being available at the time, or students not equal access at home...) Just another ball in the air to juggle!
I agree that GeoGebra is a great tool to help students connect numbers to what they represent on a graph. Students can play with different numbers to see how the shape or graph changes and come to conclusions from this. It is a great way for students to come up with their own questions and then investigate.
One clear advantage of using computer software or programs is that you can play around more with the shapes and lines. Plus, they are fun! Students will be able to see quickly how the area and perimeter are related, as they can adjust line segments and make new shapes instantly. They can easily tweak shapes and see how much or how little the measurements change. This would be great for making conjectures, and getting quick results for wonderings about shapes and their properties. Everything in GeoGebra is labeled well, so it is helpful with all of the new vocabulary students would be learning. There can also be a lot of differentiation available with these kinds of programs. It would be great for students who don't have much control over their hands to make shapes on graph paper with pencils. For example, a student with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), like my nephew, Joseph, would be able to use this program. This makes me hopeful because it gives kids like Joseph a chance to participate and learn with the rest of the class, instead of just watching from the sidelines. This is another huge advantage to using computers, as it helps some special kiddos keep up with the rest of their class.
ReplyDeleteGeoGebra is a really neat tool! You get to make any kind of shape, and it plots the points and gives you the lengths and measurements of line segments, angles, etc. There is so much you can do with it, and I bet students would take to it well and figure it out in no time.
I like the approach Meg takes when writing about how technology can help physically disabled students to participate in regular classroom work. GeoGabra is engaging, bright and exciting to look at. I think, as with all technology, it is a tool to be used in collaboration with physical models and discussion. GeoGabra gives students the ability to work with virtual 3d shapes, allowing students to understand the concepts of volume and area measurement. I might use this in teaching about area measurement by having students move geometric shapes on GeoGabra in order to find similarities in area. rectangle to parallogram, etc.
DeleteI think it is also worth noting that it is important to use technology in a way that will deepen the students' understanding of the material rather than simply as a fun alternative. As meg mentions above, using the software programs allows students to explore and "play around" with the shapes instantly. Through the use of this tool students will have the ability to make connections between the different shapes more easily. I support students with Intensive Needs and I also agree with Meg's suggestions to use technology as a form of inclusion for students who would otherwise be unable to participate.
DeleteGeogeobra is a great tool to allow students to discover through play/investigation. Geometry and algebra ideas are represented both in visual and numerical representations which allows students to generalize the ideas better. I often have found that students did not make the connections between numbers on paper and what those same numbers represented in real life. Yes, students can test ideas and rethink things without a lot of trouble...no erasers needed! Re testing can be fun. Also yes, to making the task accessible to all if the school provides the technology, but I believe it is more about an ability to gain an understanding that the numbers represent a location in a multi-dimensional world that we live. Being able to manipulate ordered pairs and see a pyramid in three dimensions is simply better than trying to have students struggle trying to draw the example. The ability to examine a deeper understanding takes time and the class just gained time in not trying to draw the representation themselves. Focusing a student discussion on their discoveries would be able to occur. Many students level of interest would be raised, teachers are more able to conference with students and facilitate the teachings. How we use technology to extend teaching will be an important discussion, as it seems that many times it currently stills time in a meaningless ways of off task student behavior, unprepared or trained teachers, and technology issues in the schools (slowness of technology, technology not being available at the time, or students not equal access at home...) Just another ball in the air to juggle!
ReplyDeleteI agree that GeoGebra is a great tool to help students connect numbers to what they represent on a graph. Students can play with different numbers to see how the shape or graph changes and come to conclusions from this. It is a great way for students to come up with their own questions and then investigate.
ReplyDelete