Mathematics Colloquium



Department of Mathematics
University of Nebraska at Omaha


WHEN:
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 2:30 PM

WHERE:
Durham Science Center, Room 256

WHAT:


Michael Matthews

Department of Mathematics, UNO


will give a talk on

Geometer Sketchpad: An interactive tool for teaching and learning mathematics


ABSTRACT:
The departments of Mathematics and Teacher Education have recently purchased several copies of a software program called Geometer Sketchpad or just Sketchpad. The software is available in selected locations in DSC and KH. Dr. Michael Matthews, Assistant Professor in the Mathematics Department, will show how to use this program interactively with a Smart Board (a White Board/Touch Screen combination). Sketchpad is versatile enough to be used throughout several years of mathematics from the elementary level to graduate level. In the briefest terms, Sketchpad is an electronic straight edge and compass with several bells and whistles. Sketchpad allows students to explore mathematics in ways that are more accessible than other tools. With Sketchpad, students can construct figures and explore their mathematical properties dynamically. As shapes change, many mathematical relationships are preserved, allowing students to examine entire sets of similar cases rapidly. Moreover, with Sketchpad's drawing capabilities, it is useful for classroom demonstrations and for creating worksheets or tests. Specifically, Dr. Matthews will demonstrate some of these aspects of Sketchpad in a Calculus 1 setting. 


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