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Workshop on using freeware to enhance learning and teaching of Mathematics in secondary schools

Simon Leung

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Programme Description

1. Introduction of popular freeware on Mathematics (e.g. WinGeom, WinPlot and Winstats).

2. Hands-on practice of using some of the freeware.

3. Experience sharing on using freeware to design teaching and learning materials for Mathematics in secondary schools.

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Why use the software?

• Free

• Can Save file

• Student can use it at home

• Easy Installation

• Exploring/ Discovering Learning

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Software Installation

• Create a new folder “maths” in c:\

• Download the software from

• http://math.exeter.edu/rparris or• http://iclassroom.hkedcity.net/teacher/maths • Send the shortcut to Desktop

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Launch the program

• Click the WinGeom Icon(yellow triangle icon)

• At the green screen, select Window 2-dim• Maximise to fill your screen

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The WinGeom

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Basic Function-Use of ToolBar

• Start afresh with a clean sheet on the screen

• Btns-> Toolbar• Select Segments• Right click to plot point• Left click and drag to create line se

gment• Or Choose LINE SEGMENT to

create segment

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Create the following diagram

Use of the segment, rays, lines, circles and drag vertices

If the label overlap the point, choose Edit Label Offset

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Text edit

• Select text edit

• Mouse over the point and right click

• Change the label

• Or Edit Label SWAP

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Measuring Angles, Lengths and Area

• Draw a traingleMeas • Enter AB for the length

of segment AB.

• Enter <ABC for the size (in degrees) of angle ABC.

• Enter ABC for the area oftriangle ABC.

• Enter [slope](A,B) for the slope of a segment AB

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By observation, Student draw conclusion for

• Angle sum of triangle

• Properties of Isosceles Triangle

• ……

To extend a line, Choose LINE EXTENSIONS

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Teaching Pythagoras Theorem Using WinGeom

Download the source file from iclassroom

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Using WinPlot to Plot Graph

•Click the WinPlot

Solve y=(x-1)/2

y=(-2x+12)/3

Graphically

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Set the Grid

• View Grid

• Adding a grid to your graph.

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To plot the graph

•Equa Explicit

•Input the equation (x-1)/2 in the dialogue box .A line will be plotted

•Use Page up and Page Down to zoom in and zoom out

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To show the equation

• Choose Equa Inventory

• Changing the width and color of your function.

To move the equation towards the line, choose Btns Text

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To find the point of intersection

• Two Intersection

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Viewing window

• To move around the plane. Using the Page Up and Page Down

• To Specifying the corner points in the graph window. Choose View View

• To redraw. Choose View Redraw

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Copy image from WinPlot to Word

• Importing the function into Word.

• Importing a number line into Word.

More WinPlot Skills from http://spot.pcc.edu/~ssimonds/winplot/

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• Start up the program

• Window simulation roll dice

Winstat

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Practice and Time to break

• Practice WinPlot by yourselves

• Give Feedback

• Fill in the course evaluation

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Dice Simulation

• Edit Parameter

• Edit Size of Dice

• Edit Numerals

• Function Key “F1” to do the simulation

Tally

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Useful Link1. Peanut Software Homepage

– http://math.exeter.edu/rparris/

2. The Peanut Software Database Project

– http://www2.spsu.edu/math/Dillon/Peanutdocs/

3. Video for using Winplot

– http://spot.pcc.edu/~ssimonds/winplot/

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Useful Link

4. Instructions for Using Winplot– http://matcmadison.edu/alehnen/winptut/winpltut.htm

5. 數學教學資料– http://cd.emb.gov.hk/maths/kla_c.asp

• 教學資源— >教學資料運用資訊科技