Algebra with Desmos: An Interactive Classroom Tool
by Emily Hornbuckle
1. Graphing
1.1. Easily graph any function
1.2. Highlight key features of the graph
1.2.1. These features may include x and y intercepts, maxima and minima, and asymptotes.
2. Look at relationships between features of a graph
2.1. "Sliders" allow students to change values of standard form equations
2.1.1. This helps students see what each portion of a standard form equation represents
2.1.2. Teachers can ask students guiding questions to help them realize what the variables mean
3. Learning Goals for Students
3.1. The format of the lesson can allow teachers to make the learning objective visible to students!
3.2. Desmos is a great tool for collaborative or individual work! Students can contribute to a shared discussion or work individually to meet their learning goal.
3.3. The website gives the students feedback on how they are doing and it gives them the chance to get better at the type of math they are doing.
4. Help Students See Math in Action!
5. Assessment of Student Learning
5.1. Desmos Activity Builder comes with a quiz feature built in
5.2. Students have to answer questions as they move through the presentation
5.2.1. Easily see student answers and contributions
5.2.2. Teacher gets to decide whether or not students can see the contributions their classmates made to the lesson!
6. Making student progress visible
6.1. Students can see how far they've worked through the activity that you've built.
6.2. If it's appropriate for the activity, allowing students to see the progress and ideas of their classmates can make for a more mathematically rich activity overall.
6.3. The teacher can make a classroom gallery where the students can see each others progress and questions they have on certain activities.
7. Built-in Classroom Features
7.1. Create guided activities for your students OR
7.2. Choose from a variety of lessons that other educators have created!
8. What standards is Desmos a tool for?
8.1. Ratios and Proportions
8.1.1. 6th grade
8.1.1.1. Learning to graph on a coordinate plane.
8.1.2. 7th grade
8.1.2.1. Explaining the relationship between two plotted values.
8.2. Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
8.2.1. 6th grade
8.2.1.1. Graph the solution of the inequality.
8.2.2. 7th grade
8.2.2.1. Write and graph inequalities. Desmos has a built-in feature to help students write inequalities and to see the solution set of the problem.
8.2.3. 8th grade
8.2.3.1. Graph proportional relationships.