The Geometric Supposer

Edited by Schwartz, Judah L.; Yerushalmy, Michal; Wilson, Beth

This volume is a case study of education reform and innovation using technology that examines the issue from a wide variety of perspectives. It brings together the views and experiences of software designers, curriculum writers, teachers and students, researchers and administrators. Thus, it stands in contrast to other analyses of innovation that tend to look through the particular prisms of research, classroom practice, or software design. The "Geometric Supposer" encourages a belief in a better tomorrow for schools. On its surface, the "Geometric Supposer" provides the means for radically altering the way in which geometry is taught and the quality of learning that can be achieved. At a deeper level, however, it suggests a powerful metaphor for improving education that can be played out in many different instructional contexts.

Contents: J.L. Schwartz, Introduction: The Many Faces of Educational Innovation. Part I: Introducing the Reader to the Supposer.J.L. Schwartz, A Personal View of the Supposer: Reflections on Particularities and Generalities in Educational Reform. B. Wilson, The Geometric Supposer in the Classroom. Part II: Problems of Learning.M. Yerushalmy, D. Chazan, Overcoming Visual Obstacles With the Aid of the Supposer. M. Yerushalmy, Generalization in Geometry. C.C. Healy, Discovery Courses are Great in Theory, But... Part III: Problems of Teaching.D. Chazan, Instructional Implications of Students' Understandings of the Differences Between Empirical Verification and Mathematical Proof. M. Yerushalmy, D. Chazan, M. Gordon, Posing Problems: One Aspect of Bringing Inquiry Into Classrooms. M. Lampert, Teachers' Thinking About Students' Thinking About Geometry: The Effects of New Teaching Tools. R. Houde, How the Supposer Changed My Life: An Autobiography. Part IV: Problems of Implementation.M. Stone Wiske, R. Houde, From Recitation to Construction: Teachers Change With New Technologies. G. Kelemanik, M. Driscoll, Geometric Supposer Urban Network. M. Gordon, What is the Supposer a Case Of? Appendix: A Guide to the Geometric Supposer.