TECHNOLOGY IN SECONDARY MATH

INSTRUCTOR(S): Michael Tamblyn, Whitewater High School
GRADE LEVEL:  8-12
 

The Geometer's Sketchpad version 4 is a powerful software program for both Macintosh and Windows based computers.  The software can be used for daily activities designed for student's to discover mathematical concepts rather than having a teacher tell them about the concepts.  Students will be able to do real mathematics: discover properties, make and test conjectures, and apply technology to higher-level mathematics.  Students will be able to produce significant projects using this software.  The Smart Board is a powerful tool to be used in the classroom.  It is a touch sensitive screen in the front of the room where the user can manipulate any software they use.  TI Smart View is an emulator of the TI-84 that shows the entire calculator so the kids can see what button you push.  In the same window, it shows the calculator, the graph, the table, the window, the y=screen, the home screen, and the sequence of buttons pushed.  Virtual TI-89 is free software that emulates a TI-89 on your computer.  Applets are available all over the Internet to let kids manipulate mathematical concepts.

Technology encourages the process of discovery in which students first visualize and analyze a problem, then follow conjectures before attempting a proof.  Technology allows students to dynamically drag a figure and examine properties for an entire set of similar cases in a matter of seconds.  Technology affords students the ability to construct difficult mathematical relationships that would be impossible with paper and pencil.  Both beginners and advanced users of these technologies will learn new ways to integrate it into their classes.