During the 2009 National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Annual Conference, Key Curriculum Press is offering educators a sneak preview of The Geometer's Sketchpad Version 5. Sketchpad helps students boost their mathematical understanding through dynamic, interactive visualization. Version 5 includes significant new features, which will be previewed at sessions during the NSCM and NCTM Annual Conferences.
The new edition of Sketchpad adds more power and convenience, extending its application across several curriculum topics. Expanded algebraic capabilities allow teachers and students to explore an even broader variety of subjects, while improved presentation capabilities offer a faster, clearer and more dynamic demonstration tool. The new Learning Center, with step-by-step tutorials, classroom-ready activities and student-friendly tips in comics and videos, makes it easy for teachers to use Sketchpad Version 5.
"Using Sketchpad in my classroom has brought cohesiveness to the curriculum, connecting concepts in algebra, geometry and beyond," said Kelly Anne Stidham, Conner High School in Hebron, Ky. "This has encouraged my students to seek out the meaning behind the math."
Dynamic mathematics software, such as Sketchpad, provides math students with a tangible way to explore fundamental concepts and relationships. By allowing students to build and investigate their own constructions, the software offers a hands-on learning experience that leads to a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts, and greater retention of the material. Furthermore, the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics' standards explicitly recommend the use of dynamic geometry at several grade levels.
"The new features in Sketchpad Version 5 make it even easier for teachers to integrate this tool into their digital classroom," said Karen Coe, president of Key Curriculum Press. "As teachers look for ways to improve their students' math achievement, Sketchpad Version 5 uses the latest technology to boost students' engagement and math understanding by leaps and bounds."
For almost 20 years, Sketchpad has revolutionized the teaching of mathematics. Named the "the most valuable software for students" by mathematics teachers in a University of California study, Sketchpad is available in several languages, making it one of the world's most widely used instructional tools for school mathematics. In the United States alone, more than 50 percent of all high schools have purchased Sketchpad.
To support teachers' use of Sketchpad in the classroom, Key Curriculum Press offers Sketchpad LessonLink™. The online, searchable library is aligned to leading math textbooks and state standards, and helps teachers integrate Sketchpad into their math curriculum with more than 500 Sketchpad activities designed for students in grades 3-12. Powerful search options make it easy for teachers to find a relevant Sketchpad activity to reinforce current skills, or illustrate new concepts, with dynamic, visual exploration.
