PTMT Workshop Information

General Information:

Sessions will take place over 6 days spread over two weeks: June 7 - 9 and 16 - 18, 2021. The first segment (June 7, 8, and 9) will focus on foundational skills. The second segment (June 16, 17, and 18) will focus on more advanced topics.

Given the global pandemic, the PTMT Workshop will be virtual. The expected schedule for sessions will be between the hours of 11am and 5pm Eastern to accommodate participants from all U.S. time zones.

The Technologies:

Desmos

Desmos is an advanced graphing calculator with user-friendly built in features such as domain restriction. Within the last few years, they have also added features like statistics tools, dynamic geometry tools, a matrix calculator and activity builders. Not only is Desmos being commonly employed as the graphing calculator for standardized state tests, but it affords mathematics teachers flexibility in using and designing tasks, as well as providing tools for real time management of student work. The pedagogical affordances of this tool are unique in that the activity builder allows for the construction of a sequence of screens, each with a different task, prompt, or question. In addition, within activity builder is a teacher dashboard in which instructors can monitor and take snapshots of student work, and then select and sequence them to use in a whole class discussion.

GeoGebra

GeoGebra is a software that combines geometric, algebraic, and statistical capabilities via dynamically linked graphics, spreadsheet, and CAS. Since its inception in the early 2000’s, GeoGebra has pioneered action technology development and has been a stable staple in a constantly morphing technological environment. We selected this tool because it can be used in any mathematics course and more importantly can demonstrate connections across mathematics content strands (e.g., geometry and algebra). Thus it is often used throughout grades 6 – 16 mathematics and statistics courses.

CODAP

CODAP is a data analysis platform that affords descriptive analysis (e.g., graphs, tables), simulation, and statistical games. We selected this tool because it is an NSF supported software developed by the creator of Fathom, a paid software that revolutionized exploratory data analysis at the secondary school level. Due to the relatively new nature of CODAP the capabilities are constantly growing but are now at a place where it can perform the majority of the features of previously used dynamic statistical software (TinkerPlots and Fathom).

Tuva

Tuva Labs is a data analysis platform with over 400 available datasets for exploration. The Tuva tools enable students to easily explore and manipulate data to create their own graphs and charts, calculate statistics, and take random samples. This type of data analysis promotes conceptual understanding of important mathematical and statistical concepts such as measures of center, appropriate graphical displays, and univariate and bivariate analysis.

Web Sketchpad

Web Sketchpad (WSP) dynamic mathematics technology is built on the foundation of the NSF-funded desktop software, The Geometer's Sketchpad (Jackiw, 2009). It bring over 25 years of Sketchpad research and development to the web. As a web-based app, WSP removes distracting interfaces - it has no menus, displays no dialog boxes, and does not require users to "select" objects to apply commands to them. WSP's handling of mathematical tools is particularly innovative and user-friendly. In addition, the WSP Tool Library and WebSketch Viewer, allows you and your students to create and share websketches with each other.