Technology Plan

Over the course of this semester, I have been exposed to many new technologies. In my unit on polygons and symmetry I would like to use some of these technologies, as well as others that may have not been covered. I really like the idea of having a Wiki for a class. I think this is a great way for students to get help when they are outside of the classroom. students can work together collaboratively to complete tasks inside and outside of the classroom by using a Wiki. this is also a space where students that may have been absent can get caught up with the work that they have missed. I also really liked the idea of a photo story. I think that this is a good tool for both students and teachers. Teachers can use a photo story to present material to their students. I really like the idea of have a photo story on commonly missed problems on an exam or homework set. The pictures can be of teh incorrect work and the voice can be the explanation of why the solution is incorrect. On the other hand, students can use photo story to complete projects or give a presentation to the class.
I would like to teacher polygons and symmetry using some technological tools. In this lesson I want students to be able to identify which polygons are symmetrical (both reflection and rotation) and which are not. I would like them to know all types of quadrilaterals, as well as teh different types of triangles. Students should also know the basic properties of these polygons. I also want students to learn about regular polygons and what makes the special. I will be covering the following standards:

G1.4.1: Solve multistep problems and construct proofs involving angles measure, side length, diagonal length, perimeter, and area of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, kites, and trapezoids.

G1.4.3: Describe and justify hierarchical relationships among quadrilaterals.

G3.1.1: Define reflection, rotation, translation, and glide reflection and find the image of a figure under a given isometry.

G3.1.2: Given two figures that are images of each other under an isometry, find the isometry and describe it completely.

I would like to design a Wiki that has the assignments and projects required for this unit. I want students to be able to work with one another an be able to post questions or concerns that they have about the assignments and material. This Wiki will also have links to different applets that will assist students as wel progress through teh unit. because this unit is so visual with rotating, reflecting, and translating figures, I think it will be very beneficial for students to see these isometries and manipulates the figures themselves. I will also have different resources posted on this Wiki and invite students to post any that they have found as well. Then students who would like more information on the material or need extra help can easily find it.
There will be a couple of projects throughout this unit that require the use of technology. First, students will create a photo story. They will have to find and take pictures of 10 different symmetrical objects (rotation and reflection). They will collect these pictures into a photo story and record themselves explaining the location of the lines of symmetry as well as its rotational symmetry (if applicable). Later on in the unit, as students learn more about the quadrilaterals and their properties, they will create another photo story in a group. Each group will be assigned a different quadrilateral and they will become "experts" on that figure. They will try to find objects that represent each quadrilateral and take pictures of them. Then they will create another photo story where they point out the quadrilateral, as well as the properties associated with each one. They can use the Wiki to communicate with one another and share their pictures and photo stories. Once finished, they will post their photo story on the Wiki to share with their classmates and then present their findings to the class.