Teachers - Read this first

This web site has been created using materials I have developed and taught in my high school classes in NYC. Included are ideas for combining mathematics and computer programs in creative and challenging ways; some of the lessons are detailed, some are general. This web site is constantly changing, with additions and improvements updated regularly. While my students do use standard textbooks for courses such as geometry, I’ve found that many of them learn the concepts much better when they are engaged in the tactile manipulation and visual stimulation provided by these supplementary computer projects.

There is some overlap in the software applications, since Dreamweaver is used to display Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator projects and to add text and titles to them. If you do not have Dreamweaver, you can use any other web authoring program.
Have students open this web site along with the applications and be sure they know how to toggle between them.
Demonstrate a step or two and then walk around the room to make sure they have completed the steps. Ask them to help each other to get each lesson to move more quickly. Students need to stay with the steps to avoid confusion and frustration.

Allow students to create their own design or add their own innovations to the assignments. Show them the sample student projects to get them interested in the projects.

Grading is based on the quality and completion of work, along with considering the students' level of computer savvy.

Here are some resource links for very useful math resource sites:
Interactive Math http://www.globalclassroom.org/ecell00/javamath.html

The Math Forum http://mathforum.org/

Mathematics Lessons that are fun http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/Lessons/

Cool Math http://www.coolmath.com/

Here are links to software information and free product trial downloads:
Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver
http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp#product=39
http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp#product=27

Geometer’s Sketchpad
http://www.keypress.com/sketchpad/instructor_resources/evaluation_edition/index.php

Mathematica
http://www.wolfram.com/products/mathematica/trial.cgi

Please send comments/suggestions to me at LauraJaneAnders@aol.com