Wolfram+Alpha

Cathy Hager Wolfram Alpha - http://www.wolframalpha.com/ General Information: This web 2.0 tool is not exclusively used for mathematics, but for many different other fields. It works somewhat like a database with various forms of information. When a user types in something they want to know information about wolfram-alpha looks through its database and shows all the information that pertains to that topic. Math students can use wolfram-alpha to solve equations and my hope is that my algebra students will use it as a check to homework. Also as an investigation to how equations evolve as changes are made to them.

Sources to Understand Wolfram-Alpha: David Ortiz explaining Wolfram-Alpha: http://www.wolframalpha.com/screencast/introducingwolframalpha.html Wolfram-Alpha in a Nutshell: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbauRVAzdzg

Student explaining how Wolfram Alpha helped in homework: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15wuTnPXBLE&feature=related

Ease of Use: Wolfram Alpha is very easy to use. You just input what you are wanting Wolfram Alpha do look for or do and it will return with the data pertaining to that topic. Enter something to compute or figure out Calculate. I have not found anything hard about its use. Challenges: One of the challenges I foresee in its use with students is that they will use it to complete their homework, instead of using it to investigate how the problem is solved. But my hope is that students will be intrigued by Wolfram Alpha is working that they will look further into the math to see what happens when they change the equations.

Educational Objective and Curriculum Area:

• Constructivist Learning style • Engagement of Students into investigation of Mathematical topics • Engagement of Students into all curriculum areas • Used as a tool for students to work on group projects in looking at increasingly harder math topics

Lesson Plan:

Algebra One students will use Wolfram Alpha as a homework check. They will also use the program as an investigation into each new unit we will face throughout the year. This will show them trends and insights on how equations will build throughout the Algebra course.