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A longish thread: state of play of dynamic geometry/graphing (in maths education from a UK point of view - personal opinons may creep into my attempt to keep this factual).
Among others, @mathstechnology, @MathTechCoach, @ddmeyer @TimBrzezinski might want to add corrections/info!
Among others, @mathstechnology, @MathTechCoach, @ddmeyer @TimBrzezinski might want to add corrections/info!
@Geogebra is free.
Available offline on computers (Windows, MacOs, Linux etc), phones & online in browser.
Multiple versions of app available.
1 Million+ pre-made resources online at http://geogebra.org"> http://geogebra.org , varying from & #39;super high-quality& #39; to & #39;messy& #39; (limited curation)...
Available offline on computers (Windows, MacOs, Linux etc), phones & online in browser.
Multiple versions of app available.
1 Million+ pre-made resources online at http://geogebra.org"> http://geogebra.org , varying from & #39;super high-quality& #39; to & #39;messy& #39; (limited curation)...
(Geogebra continued) ...any of these resources can be put into their new & #39;classroom& #39; system (recent release). The & #39;classes& #39; can include Geogebra & #39;apps& #39;, text questions and multiple choice questions. & #39;Students& #39; work can be seen all at once live by the teacher...
(Geogebra continued)...
Also notable for:
- powerful commands hidden behind graphical user interface (solveODE anyone?)
- a Computer Algebra System (CAS)
- fully functioning spreadsheet
- intuitive, powerful 3D mode
- scripting (including Javascript) available for advanced use...
Also notable for:
- powerful commands hidden behind graphical user interface (solveODE anyone?)
- a Computer Algebra System (CAS)
- fully functioning spreadsheet
- intuitive, powerful 3D mode
- scripting (including Javascript) available for advanced use...
(Geogebra continued)...
- probability calculator with great visuals
- autocomplete on typing commands shows new uses
- phone apps have *EXAM MODE* to stop use of other apps/internet during high-stakes situation (also useful in a classroom!)
- probability calculator with great visuals
- autocomplete on typing commands shows new uses
- phone apps have *EXAM MODE* to stop use of other apps/internet during high-stakes situation (also useful in a classroom!)
(Geogebra continued)...
Possible downsides:
- the many versions (classic 5/6, online) might get confusing
- no curation of resources: needs our own quality control (prob. wise anyway!)
Possible downsides:
- the many versions (classic 5/6, online) might get confusing
- no curation of resources: needs our own quality control (prob. wise anyway!)
(Geogebra continued)...
- the new & #39;classes& #39; are in early stages, some functionality (e.g. mult. choice only 1 answer allowed) yet to be implemented.
- the powerful functionality can be daunting
Personal comment:
- Classic 5 app is my go-to app to make resources and visuals.
- the new & #39;classes& #39; are in early stages, some functionality (e.g. mult. choice only 1 answer allowed) yet to be implemented.
- the powerful functionality can be daunting
Personal comment:
- Classic 5 app is my go-to app to make resources and visuals.
@Desmos is free.
Available on phones, & online in browser.
Multiple versions of app available on browser/phones.
Many resources curated by Desmos on website http://www.desmos.com"> http://www.desmos.com , many more user-created resources out there, currently only findable with an internet search...
Available on phones, & online in browser.
Multiple versions of app available on browser/phones.
Many resources curated by Desmos on website http://www.desmos.com"> http://www.desmos.com , many more user-created resources out there, currently only findable with an internet search...
(Desmos continued)...
The classroom activities section is a well-established and (imo) a world-leading example of live-online learning environment, where teachers can work with students & #39;live& #39; in pedagogically sound ways, linking with Desmos graphing/calculator systems...
The classroom activities section is a well-established and (imo) a world-leading example of live-online learning environment, where teachers can work with students & #39;live& #39; in pedagogically sound ways, linking with Desmos graphing/calculator systems...
(Desmos continued)...
Also notable for:
- clean & friendly interface
- obvious educational ethics & pedagogy underpinning design decisions https://www.desmos.com/equity
(this">https://www.desmos.com/equity&qu... is not to say that the others don& #39;t do this!)
- powerful stats analysis (some slightly hidden in ~ operator)
Also notable for:
- clean & friendly interface
- obvious educational ethics & pedagogy underpinning design decisions https://www.desmos.com/equity
(this">https://www.desmos.com/equity&qu... is not to say that the others don& #39;t do this!)
- powerful stats analysis (some slightly hidden in ~ operator)
(Desmos continued)...
- did I mention the classroom activities?
Possible downsides:
- no inbuilt 3D mode (yet?)
- more powerful commands can be hard to find
- Computation layer (for advanced classroom activities) is hard to learn at first (& documentation is somewhat messy).
- did I mention the classroom activities?
Possible downsides:
- no inbuilt 3D mode (yet?)
- more powerful commands can be hard to find
- Computation layer (for advanced classroom activities) is hard to learn at first (& documentation is somewhat messy).
(Desmos continued)...
- Somewhat US focussed
- Can& #39;t yet seem to copy data *out* from Desmos to another app (e.g. spreadsheet)
Personal comment:
- Desmos classroom activities can be amazing examples of good pedagogy made possible in an online environment.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="Applaus-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Applaus-Zeichen">
- Somewhat US focussed
- Can& #39;t yet seem to copy data *out* from Desmos to another app (e.g. spreadsheet)
Personal comment:
- Desmos classroom activities can be amazing examples of good pedagogy made possible in an online environment.
@autographmaths is now free (thanks to @LaSalleEd).
Works offline on PC, and older MacOS (new version coming though). Soon to be available online in browser https://completemaths.com/autograph
Resources">https://completemaths.com/autograph... available (notably from: https://www.tsm-resources.com"> https://www.tsm-resources.com )
Works offline on PC, and older MacOS (new version coming though). Soon to be available online in browser https://completemaths.com/autograph
Resources">https://completemaths.com/autograph... available (notably from: https://www.tsm-resources.com"> https://www.tsm-resources.com )
(Autograph continued)...
Autograph has been developed over many years with particular love and care from @douglasbutler1 (among others). @LaSalleEd have recently stepped in to make sure it& #39;s accessible to everyone for free.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="Applaus-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Applaus-Zeichen">
Autograph has been developed over many years with particular love and care from @douglasbutler1 (among others). @LaSalleEd have recently stepped in to make sure it& #39;s accessible to everyone for free.
(Autograph continued)...
Also notable for:
- many years of experience from *actual* teachers have incrementally improved this software
- it may already be installed on your school system
- recent updates include complex numbers
- it had one of the first interactive 3D modes.
Also notable for:
- many years of experience from *actual* teachers have incrementally improved this software
- it may already be installed on your school system
- recent updates include complex numbers
- it had one of the first interactive 3D modes.
(Autograph continued)...
Possible downsides:
- key functionality of *constant controller* (e.g. sliders in Geogebra/Desmos) is disliked by some
- The interface feels/looks dated to some
- No apps for iOS/Android (yet?)
- tied to @LaSalleEd environment (does this matter?)
Possible downsides:
- key functionality of *constant controller* (e.g. sliders in Geogebra/Desmos) is disliked by some
- The interface feels/looks dated to some
- No apps for iOS/Android (yet?)
- tied to @LaSalleEd environment (does this matter?)
(Autograph cont).
Personal comment:
- many teachers (inc. me) returned to Autograph over years to use features unavailable elsewhere (e.g. 3D mode, slowplot feature). These *are* now available elsewhere (e.g. on Geogebra) but are an example of Autograph& #39;s pedagogical awareness.
Personal comment:
- many teachers (inc. me) returned to Autograph over years to use features unavailable elsewhere (e.g. 3D mode, slowplot feature). These *are* now available elsewhere (e.g. on Geogebra) but are an example of Autograph& #39;s pedagogical awareness.
@CasioMaths make some of the most widely used handheld calculators in the UK, and have made their emulators free to UK teachers. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="Applaus-Zeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Applaus-Zeichen"> https://education.casio.co.uk/emulators
In">https://education.casio.co.uk/emulators... this context the Graphical Calculators have at least a claim to be comparable to other dynamic graphing software.
In">https://education.casio.co.uk/emulators... this context the Graphical Calculators have at least a claim to be comparable to other dynamic graphing software.
(Casio continued)...
Also notable for:
- You can use them in most UK public examinations
- They contain full graphing and 3D modes
- A class set might be easier to use than booking a computer room?
Also notable for:
- You can use them in most UK public examinations
- They contain full graphing and 3D modes
- A class set might be easier to use than booking a computer room?
(Casio continued)...
Possible downsides:
- expensive
- small screen, limited quality (compare to mid-range smartphone running Geogebra/Desmos app)
- arguably anything they can do is done better in free software available online
- entering data is a faff compared to a spreadsheet
Possible downsides:
- expensive
- small screen, limited quality (compare to mid-range smartphone running Geogebra/Desmos app)
- arguably anything they can do is done better in free software available online
- entering data is a faff compared to a spreadsheet
(Casio continued)...
Personal comment:
- I think the main reason to use these is because of their use in public exams. I think this is a problem with public exams, rather than an argument *for* handheld calculator use.
Personal comment:
- I think the main reason to use these is because of their use in public exams. I think this is a problem with public exams, rather than an argument *for* handheld calculator use.
SUMMARY:
There& #39;s plenty more to add, and I& #39;m happy to hear thoughts from the rest of you, but I& #39;ve tried to summarise what I can for @Geogebra, @Desmos, @autographmaths and @CasioMaths options.
Remember - my opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect anyone else& #39;s!
There& #39;s plenty more to add, and I& #39;m happy to hear thoughts from the rest of you, but I& #39;ve tried to summarise what I can for @Geogebra, @Desmos, @autographmaths and @CasioMaths options.
Remember - my opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect anyone else& #39;s!
(EDIT - I& #39;ve notice my summary is not a *summary*. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ€·" title="Person shrugging" aria-label="Emoji: Person shrugging">Ah well. Apologies. Just read the rest https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="Grinsendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Grinsendes Gesicht">)
