Embedded Files
How The Geometer's Sketchpad Works:
The Geometer’s Sketchpad is an interactive software that teaches students mathematics from 3rd grade to college level. It was created by Nicholas Jackiw for the Visual Geometry Project at Swarthmore College. Sketchpad is considered to be the best technology for interactive whiteboards. Teachers can use Sketchpad to clarify mathematical ideas. The Sketchpad is a visual way for students to learn mathematics that helps increase understanding and student interest. Elementary students can manipulate models of the following: fractions, number lines, and geometric patterns. Middle schoolers can explore and study ratio and proportion, rate of change, and functional relationships through graphical representations. In addition, high school students can use Sketchpad to not only construct but also transform geometric shapes and functions from linear to trigonometric.
(Devin Vidas)
Unique and Special Features:
If a figure can be drawn with the compass and straightedge, then it can be drawn or created in Geometer’s Sketchpad. Also, objects can be animated. Geometer’s Sketchpad is special in that teachers can use this software for both illustrating mathematical ideas and providing classroom activities to help students improve their math skills. The program provides 101 project ideas. These project activities require students to use their problem-solving skills to come up with the solution. The program lets the student create objects that can be measured and used to solve math problems. The program allows the student to find the midpoints and mid-segments of objects. Geometer's Sketchpad can also measure the lengths of segments, and measures angles area, and perimeter. The construction function tool lets the student create objects in relation to other selected objects. The transform function of the Sketchpad allows the student to create points in relation to objects, which include distance, angle, and ratio.
Hardware/Software requirements:
System Requirements
Sketchpad 5 is a downloadable application that can be installed over a network.
Windows®
Pentium® based system or equivalent
Windows XP or later (including Vista and Windows 7)
300 MB free disk space
Macintosh®
Intel® based system
Mac OS® 10.4 or later
300 MB free disk space
Available Curricular Components:
The website keycurriculum.com, which offers free tutorials through sketchpad, seems to be geared toward the students rather than the teachers. There are some teacher explanatory notes but no videos or specific lesson plans to be found. This site could be very useful for teachers to have students spend time on but isn't quite a tool that could be used as a whole curriculum. The application has 101 project ideas that could be used as a resource.
Intended Users and Subject Area:
Sketchpad is a dynamic construction demonstration and exploration tool for exploring mathematics at all levels from third grade through college. Teachers can use it daily to illustrate and illuminate mathematical ideas.
Advantages:
More than 40 free activities and 101 projects on a variety of math topics. These include teacher explanatory notes and student worksheets.
The Connected Mathematics Project provides The Sketchpad Sketch Exchange, where teachers have free access to a library of ideas, can participate in discussion groups, can rate activities, and post their own lessons.
JavascriptSketchpad gives users information and instruction on how to understand the language and process for creating and publishing their own sketches to the internet.
Provides free professional development/training opportunities for elementary, middle school and high school educators through webinars and face-to-face tutorials on how to use and best integrate The Geometer’s Sketchpad for classroom use.
Offers ideas for both whole class and individual curriculum use.
Promotes student interest and involvement.
Disadvantages:
Learning to use the software can be difficult. It is a complicated tool with many steps and options.
Research indicates that student interest fades if overused.
A significant amount of class time is taken up for students to learn to use the software.
Teachers must spend a significant amount of time planning and preparing in order for lessons to be most effective.
Sugested Uses:
As a hands-on lesson enhancement to promote student engagement and understanding.
To create a student-centered classroom experience. Though a teacher may have designed the sketch, students feel a sense of ownership of their work.
To give students the ability to instantly view, compare, and contrast a variety of figures and features.
Examples:
Anything that can be drawn with compass or straightedge can be created on Sketchpad.
RICE Rating:
Although Sketchpad is relevant for the student learning math and does provide visual models, it does cost money and , therefore, may not be available to all. It is difficult to learn, but a good resource once familiar with. For this reason, we deem Sketchpad a 3 out of 4 on the RICE rating. (Devon Bennett)
Sources:
[The Geometer's Sketchpad Logo]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2017, from https://www.atomiclearning.com/geomsketch_pc
FAQ: System Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2017, from http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/Technical_Support/FAQ/General_Issues/System_Requirements.html
Gray,, D. (2008, March 4). Using The Geometer's Sketchpad in the Math Classroom to Improve Engagement, Transform the Learning Environment, and Enhance Understanding. Retrieved August 16, 2017, from http://discoverarchive.vanderbilt.edu/handle/1803/571
Key Curriculum Logo. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2017, from http://www.keycurriculum.com/sketchpad.1.html
Key Curriculum Logo. (n.d.). Retrieved August 20, 2017, from http://www.keycurriculum.com/node/332.html
Knowledge Network by and for Educators. (2013, May 17). Unit 2: Why use Geometer's SketchPad? Navigate a lesson to find out! 17 May 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2017, from http://tccl.rit.albany.edu/knilt/index.php/Unit_2:_Why_use_Geometer%27s_SketchPad%3F_Navigate_a_lesson_to_find_out!
[Math Drawing]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2017, from https://cdn.geogebra.org/material/cej1qNwbYvk1cDfjbjfFS8pv64ztIa5a/material-yKGErUBG-thumb.png
[Sample from The Geometer's Sketchpad]. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2017, from https://mathmiracle.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/geometer_sketchpad.jpg?w=240
Zakosky , S., Wieczorek, E., & Alexander, A. J. (2000, April 17). An Evaluation of Geometer’s Sketchpad. Retrieved August 16, 2017, from https://msu.edu/~wieczor7/evaluations.htm
File:3 stars v1.svg. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2017, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_stars_v1.svg
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