Geometry applet analysis

1. Geometric Solids
• This tool allows students to learn about
various geometric solids and their
properties. Students can manipulate
and color each shape to explore the
number of faces, edges, and vertices.
• http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDeta
il.aspx?ID=70
• Reviewed by Renee Oakes and Olesya
Toloknova

2. How
the
applet
works…
You can select a shape to work with – tetrahedron, cube, octahedron,
dodecahedron, iscosahedron - and move it onto the workspace. You
can then select the colors you want to use when you click and highlight
the faces, edges, and vertices. As the elements are colored in, they
are counted on the left panel. You can view the shape as a three-
dimensional solid or opened up flat as “net”. Note: In Net view, edges
and vertices that overlap in Solid view only count once and are colored
simultaneously.

3. Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
• It’s a fun activity to explore 3D • Students need to know ahead
shapes. of time the definitions of faces,
• A great visual way to see the vertices, and edges. It doesn’t
shapes both as a solid and help with understanding math
opened up. vocabulary.
• By clicking on faces, edges and • There are only five 3D shapes
vertices it automatically records provided to play with.
the number of faces, edges and • If students don’t manually
vertices. change to a different color for
• Great way to establish some faces, edges, and vertices, it is
visualization of shapes as hard to distinguish the features.
solids and folded out.

4. Evaluation of Applet
Authority -Page should identify the authors and their qualifications.
-Site should be associated with a reputable education institution
or organization.
Content -Site should match topic of interest.
-The materials should add depth to your information.
Objectivity -Site should not reflect a biased point of view.
-Authors should present facts and not try to sway the reader.
Accuracy -Information should be free of errors.
-Verification of information confirmed by reviewers or fact-
checkers.
Currency -Site should be current and frequently revised.
Audience -Site should clearly target whether it is for your own use or the
potential use of students in your classroom.
-Site should detail whether it is a self-created site or has been
created by others.
-Site should be accessible by all learners, especially those with
special needs.
Green: Meets Criteria Red: Does not meet

5. A Problem-Based Task
• Task: Students will select a polyhedron
shape and color in faces, edges, and
vertices to learn about geometric solids
and explore the relationship between
these features.
• Connection to the standards and/or big
ideas: Analyze characteristics and
properties of two- and three-dimensional
geometric shapes and develop
mathematical arguments about geometric
relationships.

6. Questions to Ask to Assess and Advance
Student Thinking
• Launch: Before introducing applet, ask students to demonstrate
their knowledge of faces, edges, and vertices with actual shapes at
their desks. Using a smartboard, introduce students to the applet. Ask
students to discover and think about what the relationship is between
the faces, edges, and vertices as they are using the technology.
• Explore: In using this program, what other types of information can
you learn about polyhedron that you didn’t know before you started?
• Summarize: What kinds of shapes did you choose? Did anyone
observe any relationship between the faces, edges, and vertices of
polyhedron through using this program?
• Questions: If I were to give you a polyhedron, would you be able
to look at one element like the faces, vertices, or edges and be able
to tell me the number for the other features without physically
counting? If I gave you a solid polyhedron shape, would you be able
to draw that shape opened up/folded open?