September 2018

Technology in the Classroom

Ms. Cunningham Brighton High School
cunninmy@bc.edu 25 Warren Street
(631) 626-3477 Brighton, MA 02135

In this newsletter, I will discuss the new introduction

of technology in the 9th grade classroom. In particular,
Translations
the programs, Khan Academy and The Geometer’s
Sketchpad, will assist and aid students in practicing and
learning advanced mathematics strategies to become
expert problem-solvers.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy, a nonprofit organization, is a personalized learning
resource that offers free resources to teachers, parents, and students. One
of the features of the website is that students are able to engage in mathematical In the above image, students
problems at their own pace, which includes viewing instructional videos and are able to study example
working on a variety of exercises. In addition to offering lessons in mathematics problems, while given
for all grades and ages, students may also find this resource useful for a multitude solutions visually. Students can
of other subjects, including science, history, economics, art, and more. also practice several short
answer and multiple-choice
We will begin using this resource in about one week. While using Khan problems on their own.
Academy, the class will cover transformation geometry, a topic that introduces Students can check their
two types of subject categories: rigid transformations that do not change the size answers immediately with the
or shape of the previous image, and non-rigid transformations, which alter only solutions. If confused, students
the size of the prior figure. can select, “I need a hint!” or
“I need help! Please show me
I encourage all students to sign up as soon as possible in order to start practicing the solution.”
mathematical problems and other topics. This resource can also assist students in
completing homework, in-class assignments, and exams and quizzes.

To the right and bottom of this page, I have included a description and images of
translations, a type of rigid transformation, a topic we will cover as a class next
week.

In the image shown on

the left, after students
have completed the unit,
they can choose to take a
short quiz. After each
question, students can
check their answer with
the correct solution.
In the above image, students are
able to view videos on the
selected topic, such as
“Determining translations.”
Students can also follow the
video with a provided transcript,
and comment questions.
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September 2018 Dolor Spring 2016

The Geometer’s Sketchpad

Students will begin using The Geometer’s Sketchpad, a computer
program, in about three weeks. I will be using this resource as a way
to supplement my lessons. In particular, students, when provided
with school laptops, will be able to follow the material introduced in Solving the Pythagorean
class easily by creating a variety of shapes and figures to discover how Theorem using The Geometer’s
several geometric features are interrelated. Instead of having to hand- Sketchpad
draw diagrams, students will be given the opportunities to create
accurate diagrams. For example, they can calculate and demonstrate
the exact angle measurements of triangles using the software tools.

After mastering the basics and facts that identify triangles, we will
begin using The Geometer’s Sketchpad to introduce the Pythagorean
theorem. We will also use the program to discuss other geometry
topics, including lines and angles, transformations, symmetry,
quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, area, similarity, and more. In future
grades, students will also use this program in subjects, such as
precalculus and calculus, to explore topics, including vectors and
matrices, complex numbers, sequences and series, limits, derivatives, After designing a right triangle
and integrals. similar to the image presented
above, students can use other
To the right, I have included a construction of a right triangle using the tools to measure the length of
segment and selection tools of The Geometer’s Sketchpad. each side of the triangle. In
addition to measuring the
Below is the image of two intersecting functions, one of f(x) = sin(x).
lengths of a, b, and c of a right
Using tools included in The Geometer’s Sketchpad, one is able to intersect
triangle, the sketchpad can also
the graphs of functions and find the function’s roots.
calculate and display the
values of a2, b2, and c2.

Additional Functions
• Explores mathematics through all grade
levels and disciplines.
• Students and teachers are able to add
mathematical notations to sketches.
• When presenting a lesson on the
whiteboard, the marker tool allows one
to write and draw directly on a sketch.
• One can insert pictures or images into
The Geometer’s Sketchpad to explore
If any questions, comments, suggestions, or symmetries and transformations.
concerns arise, please feel free to contact me. I • Define new functions by sketching
have provided my contact information near graph.

the top of the first page of this newsletter.

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