Starting Points
    Ideas for Using Technology in the
    Mathematics Classroom
    By Frank Sobierajski
    fsobierajski@nrwcs.org
    Defining Mathematics for All
    83
    rd
    Annual NCTM Conference
    Philadelphia, PA
    April 23, 2004
    A Treasure Hunt using Locus Definitions
    Software: Geometer Sketchpad
    ®
    Adopted from: Idea heard in a discussion with a colleague.
    Spreadsheet Sliders
    Software: Excel
    ®
    , Sorry AppleWorks
    ®
    doesn’t have this feature.
    Adopted from: Spreadsheet Sliders as new graphing tools. Presented by Sergei
    Abramovich and Rory Szwed, NCTM Chicago 2000
    Also see: Making Sense of Slope, Mathematics Teacher Feb. 2000, p. 114
    Sliders in Sketchpad
    Software: Geometer Sketchpad
    ®
    Adopted from: Visualizing Functions: Introductory Algebra Activities with The Geometer
    Sketchpad by Nicholas Jackiw, NCTM Pittsburgh 1999
    Fractal drawing
    Software: Word
    ®
    /AppleWorks
    ®
    Adopted from: Focus on Fractals by Dr. Evan M. Maletsky, NCTM Boston 1995 & some
    original ideas.
    More Fractals
    Software: Geometer Sketchpad
    ®
    Some original ideas with a little help from my friends—with special thank you to Alan
    Russell.
    The Chaos Game
    Software: Excel
    ®
    Adopted from: Various Sources
    Digital Images—Problems Around Us
    Digital Camera
    From: Some original ideas, others from various sources
    Digital Images—Making Parabolas
    Software: Geometer Sketchpad
    ®
    Adopted from:
    Using A Digital Camera To Verify Quadratic Behavior, by Harris S. Shultz,
    Mathematics Teacher, April 1999
    Digital Images—Permutations & Combinations
    Software: PowerPoint
    ®
    Adopted from:
    Photographs and Committees: Activities That Help Students Discover
    Permutations and Combinations, by Jennifer Earles Szydlik, Mathematics Teacher,
    February 2000
    Digital Images—Transformations
    Software: PowerPoint
    ®
    From: Chip Pierce—used with permission.
    Digital Images—Video to frame a problem
    Software: PowerPoint
    ®
    /Excel
    ®
    /Video Editing Software/TI Interactive
    ®
    /Sketchpad
    ®
    Original Idea!
    Basketball video copyright ESPN 2003
    The Birthday Problem
    Software: Excel
    ®
    /AppleWorks
    ®
    Adopted from: Original Idea!
    Also see: Exploring the Birthday Problem with Spreadsheets by Lawrence M. Lesser,
    Mathematics Teacher May 1999
    Dynagraphs
    Software: Geometer Sketchpad
    ®
    Adopted from: Sample files on Sketchpad CD
    Other Resources:
    Chaos—Newton’s Square Root Algorithm
    Software: Excel
    ®
    /AppleWorks
    ®
    Adopted from:
    Newton’s Method for Square Root: A spreadsheet investigation and Extension
    into Chaos
    by Sharon Dugdale, Mathematics Teacher, October 1998
    Also see:
    Chaotic Behavior in the Classroom, Mathematics Teacher, Feb. 2000
    Free Math Clipart and Fonts
    Software: Netscape
    ®
    /Internet Explorer
    ®
    Website:http://www.educaide.com/downloads/graphics.html
    Math Jeopardy & Other Games People Play
    Software: PowerPoint
    ®
    /HyperStudio
    ®
    Adopted from: Technology Tips by Mary Kathryn Geesaman
    , Mathematics Teacher, January
    2000
    Make your own Clipart!
    Software: Geometer Sketchpad
    ®

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