GeoGebra STEM Exploration
Lesson idea. GeoGebra is mathematics software that is going viral globally. It has many similarities with Excel, is free and highly interactive yet remains a challenge for many to get started. Students are offered a unique opportunity to contribute to its deployment in the UK by developing 'real world' applications for use by a wide technical ability range of students and teachers. In addition to a technical challenge, students are tasked to demonstrate communication and collaboration skills including on-line, team-working and face-to-face presentations.
Teaching approach. The half-term activity consists of 3 half-day workshops interspersed with home-working and on-line collaboration. Each workshop is part tutorial and help in GeoGebra, part development, presentation and feedback on their emerging work. The three half-day sessions become gradually less structured as students become more confident taking the initiative in developing their own work:
An initial GeoGebra tutorial session features ‘real life’ examples such as mathematical modelling(ta) and visualisation(ta) from photographs of patterns and structure in flowers and architecture; exercises such as “math aerobics” where students model algebraic functions kinaesthetically; and data analysis and exploration such as from astronomy (Kepler's 3rd law) and athletic performance (Usain Bolt’s 100m sprints). Realistic examples such as these, or from students’ previous work, are essential to get the ball rolling. Following this, the onus is very much on the student’s own initiative. The focus on ‘real life’ and student ownership of ideas and project development increases student motivation.
The activity engages pupils in group talk(ta), mathematical thinking(ta) and vocabulary(ta). This open ended(ta) task develops higher order(ta) reasoning(ta), and encourages whole class(ta) discussion(ta)/questioning(ta) and inquiry(ta) projects. (edit)
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| Title | GeoGebra STEM Exploration |
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| Learning Objectives | By the end of the activity students should be able to:
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| Format / structure | wiki page with downloadable .doc version |
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| Files and resources to view and download | The first resource is an overall description of the activity, containing example activities and agendas: Here are some resources (Math aerobics and two highly successful GeoGebra Kepler and Usain Bolt models) which may be used to stimulate the students: This is also available as a separate resource at Kepler' Third Law with GeoGebra This is also available as a separate resource at Analysing Usain Bolt using GeoGebra Here are five GeoGebra activities produced by students which can be used to further stimulate new students: NB: These are described in the above GeoGebra STEM Exploration document. Finally, the work above produced the following resources in the students' own words. It will be noted that the target user age ranges vary from 5 to 9 years of age...to upper 6th...plus teachers: |
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