Let’s be honest. Graphs can be confusing because they can vary in numerous ways. For example, the equation of a line can have different slopes, y-intercepts, x-intercepts, domains, and ranges.

Graphs of parabolas can be transformed in similar ways as well, and they are more complex than lines.

Trigonometric functions are also tricky to graph, especially when the amplitude is changed and there are vertical and horizontal shifts.

In a classroom, it is time consuming and challenging to have students graph various functions and compare them with other functions. However, the images I used above as examples are from a website called Desmos. I was able to show various functions, all color coordinated, and ways they can be changed and transformed on a graph.

Is it not satisfying to see various functions graphed so neatly, so you can compare and contrast each one?

Desmos is an advanced graphing calculator available as a web application and a mobile application. The Desmos application found on your mobile device is a more condensed version of the web version. However, it is beneficial when a desktop or laptop is not readily available.

Desmos does not stop at lines, parabolas, and trigonometric functions. There are many more capabilities found on this powerful mathematical tool.

There is an option to add a table in Desmos, so you can find points with a given equation.

Also, if you click on the functions button in the lower right-hand corner of the graph, a menu appears displaying many more options to choose from.

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Desmos, both web and mobile version, can be extremely helpful when used in the classroom. Students can add sliders when exploring various functions to see how different values change the graph, and they can check their previous work. If students create an account, they can save their work and return to it later.

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“Graphing applications can allow students to examine multiple representations of functions and data by generating graphs, tables, and symbolic expressions that are dynamically linked” (NCTM, 2014).

Desmos is not only beneficial for the students, but the teacher as well. Desmos offers a teacher version that allows teachers to assign tasks for the students to complete. From the teacher account, teachers can create their own assignments, or they can use one of the templates provided. When students are completing the assignment, their progress can be monitored from the teacher’s account. This is extremely helpful for teachers who want to assign activities on Desmos, but also want to make sure students stay on task and understand the material.

You will need to explore Desmos to find what all it has to offer, so here is the Learn Desmos website to help you become more familiar with this tool.

There are many Mathematical Action Technologies available that can be implemented in the mathematics classroom. “Students should have opportunities to use Mathematical Action Technologies in all content domains to explore mathematical relationships and deepen their understanding on the Essential Concepts, to interpret mathematical representations, and to employ complex manipulations necessary to solve problems” (NCTM, 2018). I believe that Desmos can be extremely effective in the mathematics classroom and I look forward to taking advantage of what it has to offer for my students and myself.

References:

Desmos. (2018). https://www.desmos.com/

Desmos. (2018). Learn Desmos. Retrieved from Learn Desmos: https://learn.desmos.com/

Desmos. (2018). https://teacher.desmos.com/