Ian Sheppard

Exploring with Geometry Expressions in High School Mathematics Ian Sheppard

This book presents a set of activities using the computer program Geometry Expressions. The author's passion to provide students with engaging learning opportunities is evident throughout. The activities embrace investigative approaches and seek to enhance student learning through discovery and the use of computer technology. Geometry Expressions has two features that add to the genre of dynamic interactive geometry software, constraints and symbolics. The activities and approach are designed to emphasize these additional features, constraints as an intuitive way to construct diagrams and symbolics as a link between algebra and geometry. Ian describes his philosophy of learning as an inquiry approach which is grounded in constructivist theory. These philosophies are firmly embedded in the lab activities presented in this book. The activities have a clear structured beginning, enabling "all" students to have some success, gradually moving into more conceptually demanding areas and providing opportunities for open ended investigation. That is the tasks are scaffolded with multiple entry and exit points, they incorporate inquiry and support effective differentiation.