Flip N’ Slide Evaluation

Brief Description of Tech Tool:

This game focuses on the topic of transformations, how figures move around space without changing shape.
In the game, players translate (slide), rotate (turn), and reflect (flip) their triangles on a coordinate grid.

Technical & Cost considerations: This tool can be used with a free guest pass or sign up with an account. It can be
used on any format of computer, iPad, tablet, or SmartBoard but does require Flash to work.

EvaluationDescription of Learning ActivityThis tool can be used for practice on the three rigid transformations of
translation, rotation, and reflection. It can also be used for introductory purposes. It is important for students to
understand some basic terms for the three transformations covered, such as flip, turn, and move. However, students
can use this tool to explore transformations and develop their own ideas of possible rules for each based on their
observations and participation in the game.

1. Learning Activity Types

 LA-Practice - practicing for fluency--If this tool is presented to students in the middle of the unit, it can be
used as practice for transformations and allow students to think thoughtfully and plan their movements.
 LA-Explore - exploring/investigating mathematical ideas--Students can use this tool to explore during the
introduction of transformation concepts and develop their own thoughts on rules that apply to each
transformation.

2. What mathematics is being learned?StandardsNCTM:

 Understand and represent translations, reflections, rotations, and dilations of objects in the plane by using
sketches, coordinates, vectors, function notation, and matrices.

Common Core Standards:

 CCSS.Math.Content.8.G.A.3
Describe the effect of dilations, translations, rotations, and reflections on two-dimensional figures using
coordinates.

Proficiency Strands

 conceptual understanding- Students can use their understanding of operations and rules of each
transformation to determine their next sequence or movement within the game.
 procedural fluency- If this tool is used as practice, students can apply their knowledge of the rules and
procedures to move their shape in a position on the coordinate graph that allows the user to earn the most
points.
 strategic competence-This tool requires students to formulate a plan on which transformations to use and
how to represent them in order to position in the desired spot on the coordinate graph.
 adaptive reasoning- Student use logical thought to plan their movements in the game. Furthermore, if this
is used as introduction, students can use this to reflect on rules that apply for each transformation.

Additional comments on what is being learnedThe Proficiency Strands rely on when the tool is presented within the
unit or lesson.
3. How is the mathematics represented?This tool uses a variety of representation. It contains a coordinate graph and
shows content graphically as well as numerically. In addition, the tool allows the students to take part in virtual
manipulation that depends on the motions they select that are represented symbolically. In addition, students can
manipulate the triangle prior to starting the game. By exploring with this tools, students can develop their own
connections to previously learned concepts and then determine new rules that help predict the movement and
position of the triangle.
4. What role does technology play?The advantages of this tool is that it can be used in a variety of ways within a
lesson. It can be used as a way to encourage exploration and reflection at the beginning of a unit. It can also be used
to reinforce concepts and a way for students to practice their skills and fluency. Furthermore, students can develop a
different game each time through the manipulation of the triangle at the start of the game.

One disadvantage is that it only has the user play against the computer. I would have liked students to have an
option of playing against another student in the classroom or against the computer. Furthermore, I would have liked
the tool to let the user select the level of difficulty of the game play

Affordances of Technology for Supporting Learning

 Computing & Automating - The Tool performs the transformations for the students once they select the
action or actions.
 Representing Ideas & Thinking - The tool shows and performs the actions that students choose in steps
that allow representation of their ideas.
 Accessing Information -
 Communicating & Collaborating -
 Capturing & Creating -
5. How does the technology fit or interact with the social context of learning?This program is meant for individual
use so it does not support group work. However, I can see this being used as a whole class through the use of
interactive SmartBoards.