using logo to teach geometry and problem solving to future middle school teachers

Using LOGO to Teach Geometry Using LOGO to Teach Geometry and Problem Solving to Future and Problem Solving to Future

Middle School TeachersMiddle School Teachers

Jerry DwyerJerry Dwyer

Gary HarrisGary Harris

G. Brock WilliamsG. Brock Williams

Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech University

Our Math Curriculum for 4-8 Math Specialists

College Algebra Elementary Arithmetic Elementary Geometry Elementary Calculus Discrete Math and Statistics Problem Solving / Number Theory Computer Capstone Course

Computer Capstone Course

MapleCalculusAlgebraNumber Theory

LearnStar LOGO

GeometryProblem Solving

LOGO

“Turtle Language”Variant of LISPCreated in the 1960’sStrongly Constructivist

Geometry By Moving the Turtle MSWLOGO is Freely Downloadable

LOGO MaterialLOGO Material Online Workbook

Bob Byerly and Gary Harris Discovery Learning Activities in Class Portfolio

LOGO ProgramsSchool HouseTeaching Activities

TEKS Objectives Materials Ready to Teach Short Essay

Teaching and LearningTeaching and Learning

Our Goal Is Not to Teach LOGO Rather

Refresh Old Skills and Learn to Apply ThemSharpen Problem Solving SkillsPrepare to Teach with Technology

Example Final Exam Question

Five scenarios are described below. During the course of the semester we have focused on three technologies –

Maple, LearnStar, and Logo. Choose two different scenarios below.

For each scenario choose a different technology and describe thoroughly how

you could apply the technology to the teaching scenario.

Example Final Exam Question

A. You want to introduce modular arithmetic to 4th graders. For example, the students should be able to calculate m mod n for small values of m and n. They should be able to tell if m is even or odd depending on the value of m mod 2.

B. You are teaching a 6th grade math class. You need to review the concept of angle measurement and the definition of a polygon. Then introduce the idea that the interior angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees.

C. You are teaching an 8th grade Algebra I class. First you want to introduce the quadratic formula. Since the square root of negative numbers can occur in the quadratic formula, you also want to introduce complex numbers and i as the square root of -1.

D. You are teaching an AP calculus class and need explain what the derivative is and what it tells you about the function.

E. You are teaching an AP calculus class and need to explain how to find the derivative of a polynomial.

Teaching ProjectsTeaching Projects

Students chose 5 TEKS objectives and created for each

A "lesson plan" describing exactly how they could teach the objective using technology

All necessary course materials (worksheets, etc)

A short essay describing exactly how their materials will help students learn

Thanks!

Questions??