Incorporating Desmos: A Free, Interactive Tool for Virtual Learning

Dana Grosser-Clarkson, Terrapin Teachers |Lekha Tantry, Terrapin Teachers COE | Alexis Williams Terrapin Teachers MATH

Abstract

Each year we introduce our preservice teachers to a free, online environment called Desmos; however, this year the platform and its functionality has become essential for our student-centered courses. Desmos, while geared for mathematics classrooms, has many features that have been useful for all virtual learning classrooms. Desmos allows for real-time student work to be viewed, which helps for pacing and monitoring the class work. Moreover, Desmos has a snapshot tool, based on classroom discourse research, that allows instructors to select and sequence student work to facilitate a whole class discussion. More importantly, Desmos has been a way for us to quickly check-in with students regarding their social emotional health via pre-made starter screens. This presentation will provide a demonstration of these basic features and include feedback that our students have given us over the course of the year.

Presentation

For our experience type code J8GW5R here https://student.desmos.com/

Desmos.com (Students access for free)

teacher.desmos.com (Instructors create experiences for free)

For Support via Desmos https://learn.desmos.com/activities-get-started