In preparation for my Asilomar talk, I have updated all my function diagram Java applets to HTML 5.What that means is that (a) you won't get the annoying and scary message warning you of the dangers of Java, (b) the applets will work on a tablet, and (c) you won't need to have GeoGebra installed… Continue reading HTML 5!
Tag: Technology
"Enrichment"
During my first ten years as a teacher, I worked in elementary schools. In addition to team teaching my own class (grade 3, then 4, then 5) I was a math specialist for grades K-5. The basic idea was that there was "normal" math (a lot of arithmetic, textbook-based), and there was "enrichment" math. I… Continue reading "Enrichment"
Parabolas and Quadratics in GeoGebra
I've added several GeoGebra files to my Parabolas and Quadratics page. Some are self-explanatory, others will probably only make sense if you download and familiarize yourself with the accompanying curriculum materials.GeoGebra users may be interested in my use of the very powerful "Sequence" command in creating the trinomial.ggb file. This command allows interactive geometry to… Continue reading Parabolas and Quadratics in GeoGebra
Straightedge and Compass
Back when I was a high school student, I had mixed feelings about compass and straightedge constructions. On the one hand, I liked the geometric challenge, on the other hand, I hated the physical challenge of working with an actual compass. Maybe 20 years later, I had exactly the same experience as a high school… Continue reading Straightedge and Compass
New: GeoGebra files for Function Diagrams
I posted several GeoGebra files for function diagrams:to compare the function diagram of any function with its Cartesian graph.to illustrate the concept of composition of functions.to illustrate the concept of rate of change.to find the parameters of y=mx+b from the position of the function diagram focus.to solve a system of simultaneous linear equations with the… Continue reading New: GeoGebra files for Function Diagrams
New Transformational Geometry Page
I've added a Transformational Geometry page to my Web site. I expect it will grow over the next year, as I get further into this and develop new ideas and materials. (See also my earlier post on transformational geometry, which generated an interesting response.) --Henri
Interactive Geometry Software
Some years ago, I started using interactive geometry software. My application of choice was Cabri, because I appreciated its mathematical depth and the elegant simplicity of its interface. I developed a number of Cabri-based activities, many of which you can find on my Web site. For example:function diagrams, the geometry of the parabola and ellipse, factoring… Continue reading Interactive Geometry Software
One Should Separate Related Topics!
This is part of a multifaceted strategy to teach heterogeneous classes. Read about it in this article: Reaching the Full Range.In a previous post, I discussed the benefits of "lagging homework". These included extending student exposure to new ideas, which benefits everyone: stronger students get the forward motion they want and need, and students who… Continue reading One Should Separate Related Topics!
"A New Algebra"
About twenty years ago, along with Anita Wah, I wrote "A New Algebra", a paper for the Journal of Mathematical Behavior (JMB). It was an attempt to address what I saw as a crucial issue in secondary math education: on the one hand, the traditional Algebra 1 course was the gateway to any further work… Continue reading "A New Algebra"
Transformational Geometry
One of the features of the Common Core content standards in secondary school is a change in the foundations of geometry. Instead of basing everything on congruence and similarity postulates, as is traditional, the idea is to build on a basis of geometric transformations: translation, rotation, reflection, and dilation. This is an interesting change, but… Continue reading Transformational Geometry
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