This assignment is another geogebra one, but this time it will be documented using epearl. Why? Because I want to see the whole story of your geogebra/math learning adventure, not just what happened at the end!
First, here’s what to do in epearl:
Today:
- In epearl, create a new artifact called “The Linear Function”
- In “Planning” write a one- or two-sentence description of the task (see blue text below) as you understand it. DO NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE WHAT I WROTE! And don’t forget to save!
As you work on the assignment:
- I expect you’ll need to try this a few times before it all works perfectly, in which case, the first time you try it, whether or not it works, save that ggb file as The Linear Function 1. After that, every time you make a change to that file, you’ll need to save it with a different number tacked on at the end: eg The Linear Function 2, The Linear Function 3, etc. By the time you’re done, you’ll have 4 or 5 of these files saved, each different, and showing your progress.
- In “Doing“, attach all versions of the geogebra files as you save them.
- In “Reflecting“, document your learning as each version is attached. Eg. What’s working? What’s not? Have you come up with any strategies that work in ggb? Any problems with ggb? Is this hard, frustrating, fun, satisfying? Has it resulted in better math understanding, more motivation? Did you wake up in the morning and discover that your brain solved something while you were asleep? Did you start out thinking there’s no way I will ever be able to do this and then change your mind about that?
After you’re done, and you’re satisfied with your work:
- Name the final version The Linear Function Final.ggb, and put it in “Doing”.
- In “Reflecting”, tell me why you’re satisfied with this version. And anything else you want to say about this assignment.
AND HERE’S THE ASSIGNMENT: Create a geogebra file about the linear function that displays each of the following:
- The graph and equation of any linear function y = ax + k for any values of a and k.
- The coordinates of the zero (Z) of the function currently displayed (you must use a formula, not a button)
- The coordinates of the y-intercept (I) of the function currently displayed (you must use a formula, not a button)
- The coordinates of a point P whose position is controlled by a slider with the name t.
Here’s how I’ll assess your work:
- All of the blue and the green items have to be there. (blue = 10 marks, green = 10 marks)
- It has to be correct.
- There has to be more than just the final version of the file.
- The final version has to be on time. Due date is Sunday Oct 20, midnight Montreal time.
- MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: Your descriptions and reflections have to belong to you. Don’t just parrot what someone else said, or embroider something pretty that you think I want to hear. (Teachers can spot that a kilometer away.) “It was fun” is okay, but “It was fun because I was so happy when I actually got it to work” is much better.
- Bonus points! There are bonus points!
Bonus points:
- The graph changes colour depending on whether the slope is positive, zero, or negative.
- Texts containing information about the function or the points pop up depending on the values of the parameters, such as “This function is increasing.”
- The point P leaves a trace as it moves along the line.
- For Science Math students only: Use your final version of The Linear Function to create and save another geogebra file, called The Absolute Value Function, that does all of the blue stuff for the absolute value function of the form y = a|x – h| + k. It might need a few extra sliders and, um, other stuff. 😉
- For Technical Science Math students only: Use your final version of The Linear Function to create and save another geogebra file, called The Quadratic Function, that does all of the blue stuff for the quadratic function of the form y = a(x – h)² + k. It might need a few extra sliders and, um, other stuff. 😉
Have at it!