Analysis

Educational Value

  • Desmos is free to use online and free to download Android and iOS apps

  • Cost of approved graphing calculators for senior high math are in the $150 - $200 range, which is not feasible for some families, especially if they have more than one student in high school

  • Available for use on most common platforms (PC, Mac, Chromebook, mobile devices), as long as there is an internet connection for use online or to download the app

  • Using the mobile app does not need internet access after initial download

  • More user-friendly than a graphing calculator

    • No need for equation manipulation to y= format

    • Easy to manipulate graphs - zoom in or out, change scale on axes

    • Access table of values

    • Graphs a variety of functions

    • Graphs can be exported or shared for use in other applications

  • Can be used in a variety of languages

  • Accessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals

  • Student users can create accounts to save work

  • Teachers/instructors can create accounts to:

    • Save work

    • Access pre-made activities

    • Assign work to classes of students

  • Some jurisdictions have access to Desmos for standardized testing

  • Desmos has a YouTube channel with how-to videos

Beyond Math Class

Besides for graphing in math class, Desmos has also been used for music, art, games, and animation.

Thousands of students participated in the 2021 Desmos Global Art Contest.


SWOT Analysis

Competition

There are a number of other free online graphing tools available, such as:

Many of the other online graphing tools are not as versatile as Desmos:

  • No ability to sign in and save work

  • Not as many functions available

  • GraphCalc actually has graphing powered by Desmos



If Desmos is free to use, how do they make money?

Because Desmos is free for students and teachers to use, they must make their money somewhere. Desmos makes profit by licensing its product to educational assessment companies who use their applications in their testing. Desmos also licenses its product to producers of digital resources such as textbooks. Within those resources, users can just click a link which takes them to the online application. Desmos is also creating a premium math curriculum which is a paid service. Desmos does not allow third-party advertising on student apps or any of its tools.