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Desmos Picture Graphing: Bringing Math to Life

I still remember the excitement on my students' faces when they first encountered graphs. It's a moment that never gets old - watching them go from feeling frustrated with graphs to loving them. As educators, we're always looking for ways to make complex concepts more accessible and engaging for our students. That's where Desmos comes in.

Desmos is an incredible online graphing calculator that allows students to visualize mathematical relationships in a way that's both fun and interactive. One of the key features that sets it apart is its ability to allow teachers to monitor student progress remotely, providing targeted support and guidance exactly when they need it. This level of flexibility and oversight can be incredibly powerful in helping students overcome common struggles with graphing.

In my own classroom, I've found that Desmos is particularly effective when used in conjunction with real-world examples. For instance, I ask my students to fit parabolas to photos of bridges and fountains, which not only helps them develop their mathematical skills but also encourages them to think creatively about the world around them.

I first encountered this approach in Adrian Oldknow's book 'Teaching Mathematics Using ICT' back in 2004. Since then, I've been hooked on finding new ways to incorporate graphing into my lessons. The Desmos Activity Builder is a game-changer, offering educators like me the ability to create customized activities that cater specifically to our students' needs.

In my experience, asking students to explain their thought processes before attempting graphical transformations can be incredibly beneficial in building their understanding of mathematical concepts. By taking the time to reflect on their approaches and justifications, students are able to develop a deeper appreciation for the relationships between different variables.

Overall, Desmos is an invaluable tool that has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach graphing in the classroom. Whether you're looking for ways to make math more engaging or simply seeking new strategies for supporting your students' learning, I highly recommend giving it a try.

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