Java MathWorlds Activities
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| Here are some photos and descriptions of our activites. |
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| Fanning Out: A second direct variation is to allow the "m" in Y=mX+b to vary by count-off number.
Now each group's graphs constitute a "fan" emanating from that group's y-intercept. When animated, they start together,
but move apart since their velocities vary according to their respective count-off numbers. (See Fig. 2. where two groups are shown)
Here each student has a unique function, unique graph, and unique motion when animated - which supports a "Where are you?" question that
powerfully focuses students' attention in the complex collection of graphs. The act of "finding yourself" (i) has proven to be very motivating,
and (ii) engages students in exactly the kinds of conceptual coordination of representations that we typically want to occur (relating the "m" and "b"
in the algebraic expression to the slope and Y-intercept of the graph, and to the initial position and velocity of the animated object). |
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| Above you can see a document that is created for JMW for a specific activity called "SackRaces". In our SackRaces document, students create their
own function and a story which tells of their travel during a Race scenario against another actor, or many other actors (teacher or other students). |
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