Investigating Geometry SummaryMonday - Friday, July 5 - 9, 2010The geometry group spent most of the week engaged in research, discussion and planning for their final projects, but on Tuesday they hosted a special visitor. Nick Jackiw, chief author of Sketchpad 5, came to visit and share some of the new and intriguing aspects of this latest update of the premier dynamic geometry software program. He showed how functions could be created to control frequency and amplitude of sound waves to build a working theremin on the computer. On Friday, the three geometry sub-groups gave brief overviews of their projects; 1.) a model for effective use of hands-on learning to improve student engagement and positively impact retention, 2.) lessons to connect algebra with geometry, focused on problems which could be readily approached through either lens and 3.) explorations based on dynamic software including, but not limited to, Geometer's Sketchpad. |