This modeling activity is a great way for teachers to integrate technology in their classroom. The central focus of this lesson plan is for students to understand key components when graphing lines by hand or when using technology software to graph functions. In this activity, students will be in pairs and alternating between graphing the functions by hand and by using the graphing calculator app to model the functions. By having the students work together and check each other’s answers, students are more likely to be engaged and participating throughout the class period.

The graphing calculator app is free to download on any iPhone, iPod, or tablet. Students can be encouraged to download it on their own or on tablets provided to students; the app can be downloaded in advance so that it is ready to use for the activity. Using a graphing calculator is a very important tool students need to be familiar with and know how to use for future academic use. This app is a great way for students to access this tool in and out of the classroom, without having to buy a graphing calculator. The app is very similar to an actual graphing calculator so students can learn the basics by using the app.

Here is a link to a tutorial video about the Free GraCalc app: http://1597381.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/Free+Gracalc/1_wwbda3vs.

Here is a detailed lesson plan of the activity: Lesson Plan- Using Technology to Teach Mathematics Modeling