Online Resource Evaluations

Geometry Hidden Picture
http://www.aplusmath.com/cgi-bin/games/geopicture

Description
This technology is a geometry applet for students whose main goal is to identify geometric shapes based on their characteristics and properties in order to reveal pieces to a hidden picture. Students are successful when correctly identify the given geometric figures and they completely uncover the mystery picture that was hidden.

Evaluation
What mathematics is (potentially) being learned?
NCTM Standard(s) addressed?
- Geometry, 6-8: Students will be able to analyze characteristics and properties of two-dimensional shapes.

What is the nature of the mathematics?
The concepts being shown are analyzing the geometric characteristics and properties of two-dimensional shapes. Students are analyzing given shapes for specific characteristics and properties in order to successfully identify them by their geometric name.

How does learning take place?
Learning takes place as students try to identify the characteristics and properties of two-dimensional shapes. For example, if a student must find the shape of an obtuse triangle, students will have to analyze the given shapes for the properties and characteristics that are indicative of an obtuse triangle. Misconceptions can also be cleared up as students use the technology. If a student had the misconception that an equilateral triangle had only two congruent sides, by clicking an isosceles triangle students would be able to see that they were incorrect and had to fix their definition of what equilateral meant. Through analysis and reflection, significant learning can take place.

What role does technology play?
The technology affords students the chance to represent their geometric knowledge and thinking by identifying the correct properties and characteristics of two-dimensional shapes in order to reveal a hidden picture.

The technology will ask students to identify a particular geometric shape or characteristic (a right triangle, a radius, parallel lines, etc.). Students will then click on the shape they feel is best representative of what the applet is asking them to identify. If the student answers correctly, a piece of the missing picture is revealed. An incorrect answer by the student will result in another question and no piece revealed. The student “wins” when the hidden picture is revealed. Once completed, the technology offers many other hidden pictures for students to uncover in which they will have to identify even more geometric characteristics and properties.

How does it fit within existing school curriculum?
This applet is to be used as a supplement to a secondary geometry unit. This is not meant to teach students about the characteristics or properties of geometric shapes, but rather tests their knowledge. Thus this program can be used as an assessment piece for students to show their geometric knowledge. Older grades (late-secondary, high school) could use the program to review prior knowledge.

How does the technology fit or interact with the social context of learning?
This activity can be done individually or with a partner, depending on a teacher’s preference. As noted above, this applet can be of great use as an assessment piece for representing student knowledge, but it could also promote strong mathematical discussions about geometry if done in pairs. If a student misunderstood the meaning of an equilateral triangle, having a partner to work with would help clear up any misconceptions or confusions through social interaction. Also, pairing students who are struggling with the characteristics and properties of geometric shapes would be beneficial in allowing them to discuss answers together before making choices.

What do teachers and learners need to know?
Once the students discover the hidden picture, there is little replay value. While the technology offers students the opportunity to uncover a different picture, it does repeat a lot of the same geometric shapes. For instance, in the span of three games I had to identify a pentagon in all three games. For some students the reinforcement may be beneficial, but for most it will probably be repetitive and tiresome.