Technologically Embodied
Geometric Functions
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With Technologically Embodied Geometric Functions, students develop conceptual metaphors that directly relate computer-based sensory motor experiences of abstract function concepts. This approach relies on four foundations:

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Use the Materials, Support the Work

We’re working hard to create the sketches, worksheets, and support materials for these Web Sketchpad activities. Ours is a volunteer effort on the part of everyone involved, both curriculum developers and field testers, and we make these activities freely available for you to download and use with your own students.

As we develop, revise and expand the activities, we need your help. Email your commentary (What worked well? What didn’t?) and your suggested improvements to the webmaster.

Foundations of Geometric Functions

The effectiveness of the Geometric Functions approach is based on using technology-supported hands-on activities to create close connections between students’ sensory-motor experiences and the abstract function concepts they are studying.

The foundations of this approach come from four areas:

  • mathematics (from which come the abstract function concepts students learn),
  • cognitive science (which calls the close connection between sensory-motor experiences and abstract concepts a conceptual metaphor),
  • technology (which enables students’ creative and exploratory experiences), and
  • pedagogy (which informs activity design, classroom implementation, and support materials for students and teachers).

The title Technologically Embodied Geometric Functions expresses the combination of these four foundations in the materials and in the student explorations they support.

In these explorations, students use dynamic mathematics software to create and drag an independent variable, construct a function object, use it to transform the independent variable, and observe the behavior of the resulting dependent variable. The combination of easy construction, direct dragging, and visual representation engages students’ sensory-motor systems in a compelling way that directly develops and supports their understanding of function concepts.

Update History:
04 January 2014: Created this page.