This electronic book (PDF) demonstrates ways that Autograph, dynamic graphing software, is effectively utilized as a tool for interactive teacher demonstrations and independent student investigations.
The Teacher Demonstrations illustrate topics and turn the classroom into a dynamic learning centre while the Student Investigations heighten a student�s understanding and increase their level of competency. This book should not be used to replace a textbook: it is a book of demonstrations and investigations that supplement a good textbook. The topics are those that are found in most Statistics textbooks and in the Advanced Placement curriculum.
The Teacher Demonstrations are designed to be interactive and used in the classroom to dynamically introduce or illustrate important concepts in statistics. They are intended to be used on an interactive Whiteboard or with a digital projector. During each demonstration, teachers should involve the class by asking students to predict what happens if you change the value of a constant or alter a parameter in some other way. Encourage students to discuss what is meant by a certain value or the effect a certain value has on the shape of the graph.
Many Demonstrations have explicit questions in the text, but the experienced teacher will find multiple opportunities to add their own questions. Although each teacher has his/her own teaching style, I suggest that students perform the Autograph steps by hand, while the teacher walks around the classroom giving instructions and leading the discussion. This way, the teacher can involve the entire class and monitor class activity.
Most Student Investigations are designed to be used following a Teacher Demonstration. They are investigative and use the power or Autograph to dynamically change variables or parameters. All students need their own copy of Autograph in order to complete the investigations either at school or at home. If your school does not own the Autograph Extended School Site Licence, look into the possibility of acquiring it as it allows students to investigate topics that were unclear to them in class as well as not requiring that they be at school to complete these assignments.
Because these lessons are designed for even the most hesitant teacher, this innovative book will bring success in the statistics classroom. Once the teacher feels comfortable using the lessons in this book, it will be easy to start developing his/her own demonstrations, investigations, and activities. Most importantly, this book will help the teacher enjoy teaching statistics by effectively using an incredible piece of technology that will inspire students to confidently pursue mathematics on their own.
Dr. James Kett has extensive experience in Mathematics Education both as a teacher and leader. After teaching in the Michigan public school system, he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Western Michigan University in 1996 and became a teacher and department chair at Singapore American School, the largest international school in the world. For six years, from 2004 to 2009, he was also an Advanced Placement Reader in Statistics. Now, as a private consultant, he speaks at conferences, trains teachers using Autograph, helps schools develop math competitions, and gives inspirational lectures to students and teachers.