Tag Archives: Geometry

The Perimeter Problem

February 7, 2019 Daniel Scher 4 Comments

When the Metamorphosis team of content coaches meet at their New York office, the day is filled with Qi Gong, video case analysis, good food, and—best of all—a mathematical challenge for everyone to investigate and discuss. These problems are chosen to be accessible across a wide range of grade levels and to allow for a variety … Continue Reading ››

Educational Technology, Geometry, Math Software

Pythagoras Plugged In

September 6, 2016 Daniel Scher Leave a comment

If there were an award for 'Mathematical Theorem Most Amenable to a Visual Proof,' the Pythagorean Theorem would surely win. The title of this post is a nod to the Sketchpad activity module Pythagoras Plugged In by Dan Bennett. Dan's book contains 18 visual, interactive proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. And there are more: The Pythagorean … Continue Reading ››

Constructions Geometry Pedagogy Problem Solving Sketchpad Use Appropriate Tools Strategically Web Sketchpad

Advanced Mathematics, Educational Technology, Math Software

A Mathematical Mystery Story with Web Sketchpad

May 11, 2016 Scott Steketee Leave a comment

Several years ago, I wrote a blog post about the value that students derive from writing mathematics with Sketchpad. The post included an example of a simple Logo iteration, easily implemented in Sketchpad, that produces some very complex and interesting shapes depending on the values of several input parameters. In the article* where … Continue Reading ››

Geometry Math Games Modeling Pedagogy Problem Solving Sketchpad Standards for Mathematical Practice Use Appropriate Tools Strategically Web Sketchpad

Educational Technology, Elementary Mathematics, Geometry, Math Software

Exploring Tessellations with Web Sketchpad

February 15, 2016 Daniel Scher Leave a comment

Metamorphosis is a New York-based company that offers professional content coaching to transform the mindset and practice of both teachers and administrators. I recently had the pleasure to collaborate with Metamorphosis staff members Toni Cameron and Kara Levin as well as mathematics coach Ariel Dlugasch from P.S. 276 in a coaching learning community that … Continue Reading ››

digital art Dynamic Geometry Geometry Software Web Sketchpad

Assessment, Educational Technology, Geometric Functions, Geometry, Math Software

Dilation Games: Assessment That’s Fun

November 16, 2015 Scott Steketee 2 Comments

What does dilation feel like? I recently had the opportunity to work with a group of students who were testing activities that treat geometric transformations as functions (what I call geometric functions). I got lots of good ideas for improving the activities not only by watching the students, but also but also from their suggestions and the … Continue Reading ››

Algebra and Functions Constructions Geometric Functions Geometry Pedagogy Sketchpad Software Standards for Mathematical Practice Web Sketchpad

Conic Sections, Educational Technology, Math Software

Constructing an Ellipse with Web Sketchpad Tools

August 20, 2015 Daniel Scher Leave a comment

In a prior blog post, I described the pins-and-string approach to drawing an ellipse: Press two pins into a corkboard, place a loop of string around the pins, pull the string tight with a pencil, and trace the pencil tip's path as you pull the pencil around the taut string. Guaranteeing that the traced … Continue Reading ››

Constructions Geometry Modeling Sketchpad Web Sketchpad

Educational Technology, Geometry, Math Software

Hello Spring!

March 23, 2015 Scott Steketee 1 Comment

Today's blog post features a sketch from Anna Nguyen, who's a 9th grade student. Anna observes, "Math is one of my favorite subjects. I'm not a genius or the smartest in my class, but I do enjoy dealing with letters and numbers, which is also why I like chemistry. I think GSP is the most … Continue Reading ››

Geometry Sketchpad Software Development Use Appropriate Tools Strategically Web Sketchpad

Educational Technology, Geometry, Math Software

Constructing Morley Triangles

March 17, 2015 Scott Steketee 1 Comment

By Adrienne Barrett This post is by guest blogger Adrienne Barrett, who's a senior mathematics and education dual major at Rowan University. She is currently student teaching and upon graduation in May, she hopes to find a full-time position teaching high-school mathematics. She's always loved math, and studying it in college has given her … Continue Reading ››

Constructions Geometry Sketchpad Use Appropriate Tools Strategically Videos Web Sketchpad

Assessment, Educational Technology, Math Software

Innovative Approaches to Computer-Based Assessment, Part Three

January 12, 2015 Daniel Scher Leave a comment

Today there is no lack of outrage directed at the high-stakes standardized testing that has become so prevalent in the U.S. educational system. A recent opinion piece in The New York Times examines the backlash against the Common Core and lays the blame not on the standards themselves, but rather on … Continue Reading ››

Geometry Sketchpad Standardized Testing Standards for Mathematical Practice Use Appropriate Tools Strategically

Assessment, Common Core, Educational Technology, Math Software

Innovative Approaches to Computer-Based Assessment, Part Two

January 5, 2015 Daniel Scher 2 Comments

In my previous post, I shared Dan Meyer's analysis of what's wrong with computer-based mathematics assessments. Dan focuses his critique on the Khan Academy's eighth-grade online mathematics course, identifying 74% of its assessment questions as focusing on numerical answers or multiple-choice items. This is a far cry from … Continue Reading ››

Common Core State Standards Geometry Pedagogy Problem Solving Sketchpad Standards for Mathematical Practice

Posts navigation

1 2 3 Next →

The Web Sketchpad Blog