Technology is developing each passing days and it is indispensible that
this developments affects education. Educationist presents the importance and
the benefits of student centered teaching and students’ active involvement in
learning process. Educationists use technology as a contributor to convert
learning to more student centered form. Almost every teaching area benefits
from technology in terms of their needs. Especially, dynamic learning
environments take importance in educational settings. Gapminder, a geometers’
sketchpad, geogebra and cabri 3D are some dynamic geometric softwares that can
be used in many mathematic and geometry concepts. In this post, I will consider
a geometers’ sketchpad ,called GSP in terms of its benefits, usages and steps
about how to use it.
As I mention about GSP is a dynamic geometry software which provides
transformation of traditional paper and pencil geometry classes into a dynamic
learning environment, which enables more student centered classrooms as well as
group work and improves students’ engagement. Also GSP allow students more
deeper understanding because students actively engage with materials and make
some constructions by using it.
GSP can be used in many grade levels. If the teacher plans the lesson,
determines the learners’ need and manipulates the program to students’ level in
an appropriate manner, it can be used in almost every grade. GSP can be used in
high school very effectively. For the middle school students, it will be very
effective and challenging for students. Teacher developed models or applets can
be used in class or students can work with it and teacher assists them.
As a first step, we need to know the tools of GSP in order to use it. We
need to know the properties and theorems that we will use in our construction
and the purpose of each step, function or calculation should be known in order
to making sense of our construction. Tools, such as, point, arrow, test, file,
edit, display, construct, transform, measure, number, and graph is the
categories that GSP has. You can find more information and tutorials and get
help from GSP website. J