Overview

 

Main features
Aim
Possibilities for the pupil
Possibilities for the teacher
Levels and possibilities

Main features 

Geocadabra is the basis for all drawing in maths education.
Geocadabra, literally working magic with geometry, distinguishes itself by offering: 

all common Windows and printer facilities
wonderfully intuitive applications
the option of simplifying and showing graphic presentations
facilities that continue where chalk and blackboard left off
extensive calculation facilities, both analytical and statistical
a large number of built-in applets allowing the user to explore maths in great detail
maths is brought to life on screen 

Aim

The aim of Geocadabra is to enable all drawing exercises from first form up and until the final levels of ordinary education, advanced education and scholarship education. The programme especially focuses on drawing that is too complicated or too unclear for a simple blackboard or a graphic calculator and is ideally suited when further exploration of a maths problem is required.

Geocadabra can be set up to suit the needs of pupils in ordinary education, the first two years of advanced and scholarship education and those pupils in the final years of advanced and scholarship education. This way, while using the programme, only advanced pupils will encounter the more elaborate commands and applets.

What Geocadabra has to offer: 

Solid geometry.

Beautiful basic shapes, sections, drawing methods, lines of view, many animations in ready-made applets. For instance, a surface can be lifted from the drawing in real size or it can be moved or tipped. Special applets for the measuring or lengths, angles and surfaces are available and, when required, a measurement tool will appear across the object. All the user has to do is place the tool in its desired position. All possible angles and lengths can be calculated, be it in exact figures (roots), in significant figures or just plain rounded off figures.

Plane geometry.

This feature also offers numerous basic shapes from which the most complex drawings can be constructed and built-in applets allow the user to explore. There is even the possibility of changing from a plane to a solid figure. 

Functions and curves.

Apart from the option of working with all usual functions in two and three-dimensional figures, there is also the possibility of working with curves, parameter- or polar co-ordinate shapes and curves consisting of two variables. The graphs can be explored with the aid of numerous applets supporting, for instance, tangents, surfaces, movement and line multiplication, rotating objects, trajectory, intersections and everything else the graphic calculator has to offer in preparation of the final exams. However, there is one difference; now you can do it all in high resolution and in full colour!

The final years of advanced and scholarship education.

Growth diagrams, integral behaviour, differential equations, linear programming models (two and three-dimensional), recursion, dynamic demand and supply analysis, correlation and regression, statistics and probability calculation (for example, probability trees, probability distribution, probability paper).

Perspective.

The program allows for the use of 1-point, 2-point and 3-point perspective as well as all possible parallel projections.

Three-dimensional objects are shown in perspective and horizon, disappearing lines and points can be made visible. The built-in applets allow the user to investigate how all these hold up to a change in camera position or camera aim. They can even visualise basic mathematical constructions.

Various pupil-based possibilities 

The teacher selects a suitable classroom assignment to the mathematical subject at hand from the
    included teaching materials and the pupil can then start working on the assignment independently.

The pupil can use the programme with almost any mathematical assignment in the book that requires
    drawing. Not just to achieve a perfect, full colour drawing but also to analyse the drawing with the aid
    of an applicable applet.

With the aid of Geocadabra, a pupil will be able to construct perfect drawings to accompany technical
    and practical assignments or presentations.

Various teacher-based possibilities

Perfect illustrations to a test concerning a technical subject. Two and three-dimensional drawings of
    objects or graphs of the most complex functions and curves, rotating subjects etcetera, etcetera.  

These drawings allow the development of a step-by-step presentation supporting the approach to a
    certain mathematical problem (with or without the aid of Geocadabra). This presentation can later be
    used in the classroom (beamer), during an individual computer practice class or integrated in a local
    computer network. Pupils can even do the exercises at home. 

Each single drawing can be investigated during a presentation by, for example, activating a built-in
   applet. After the investigation the presentation can continue. One can even come back to a certain
   drawing. 

Simple html-based assignments, guiding pupils through the menu-infrastructure of Geocadabra, can be
    developed at school. This way, the pupil’s mind will not wander from the mathematical subject at hand
    because they need not understand Geocadabra’s programming.  

Once a drawing concerning an assignment from a book or test has been stored, it will remain available
    for future usage. In other words, it can be re-used in class and during tests for years and years to
    come. 

Levels and possibilities for pupils and teachers

The programme is able to work on three different levels:

Ordinary education (= low level)
First two years of advanced and scholarship education (= intermediate level)
Final years of advanced and scholarship education and up (= high level) 

This way, the inexperienced user will not be hindered by any advanced options the programme has to offer. 

The programme offers the following possibilities: 

Pupil-based:

1. A better understanding of geometry, graphs and probability calculus because the drawings are of
    exceptional quality and contain moving elements that allow for experimenting. These features are
    several steps ahead of say, a teacher’s key or graphic calculator. The understanding of geometry is
    being playfully developed.
2. Drawings can be copied to a text-editing programme or they can be printed.
3. Each and every single classroom assignment can be dealt with independently and at a pupil’s own speed.
    Because of the fact that the assignments have been ranged according to mathematical subject, they
    can be used with every method currently in use.

Teacher-based:

1. This programme covers almost every need you may have concerning the teaching of mathematics.
    No longer do you have to waste your precious time on mastering every single programme available out
    there, you only have to master this one.
2. The drawings are of exceptional quality, something a blackboard simply cannot compete with and they
    are not static, one can carefully move elements around and manipulate functions, rotations, reflections
    and movements.
3. Drawings can be copied to a text-editing programme or printed, providing you with a test or attachment
    of excellent quality and in full colour.
4. Pupils can work independently allowing you more time to supervise and you do not even have to prepare
    your own lessons, lesson plans are included. You are, however, free to develop new teaching materials
    with the aid of this programme.
5. You can present beautiful step-by-step results if you have a beamer available.
6. A benefit to the pupil is a benefit to you!

You will be able to work far more efficiently due to the fact that all teaching materials are already included in this programme. But please do not let that stop you from developing your own materials with the aid of the endless possibilities this software programme has to offer!