Lesson Plans with Mathematica

[Tasha_Dunaway]

Many teachers find marrying calculator exercises with Mathematica to build greater student knowledge and grow state testing achievement levels. What types of lesson plans have you developed/used to marry the calculator with advanced visualization and exploration within Mathematica?

[James_Hill]

One that I have in mind is to illustrate parametric curves and Lissajous curves, which I found was the outcome of the study of vibrations ( now I could be misinformed here). But taking a vibration in the x direction and another in y direction I can have them plot on their calculator and also show them an animation of the two vibrations. I think this will simplify their undersatanding of the Lissajous curves.

I am also using it in geometry, but mostly as a slide show.

[Tasha_Dunaway]

Thanks for your reply, James. What reaction did you get from your students upon seeing the animation of the curves, as opposed to the simple plotting that the calculator does? I'd be curious to know if others have found this to be a useful experiment, and how they have accomplished something similar.

Best,

Tasha