WinPlot
WinPlot
submitted by: Jeff LeMieux, August 2004

This narrative describes how I use WinPlot by Richard Parris, cataloged in the Math Tools digital library, in the classroom.

Course: Math 7
Topic: Graphing
Resource type: Windows Software

Resource location:
http://math.exeter.edu/rparris/

Math Forum catalogue entry:
http://mathforum.org/mathtools/tool/13056

Story:  Graphing calculators in a middle school environment are scarce, fragile, and require batteries. Screen size and resolution are other issues. In looking for a substitute, I happened upon WinPlot - a free program which operates in a manner similar to a graphing calculator but which has the added features of a larger screen size and the ability to make plots in different colors - as well as printing them out. The table feature enables the student to alter the intervals between points and the zoom feature allows them to scale the plot to coincide with their data.

Students seem to be quick to find ways to 'personalize' their plots with different background colors, grids etc., and quickly adapt to the program.

This is a 2D/3D plotting tool which also includes an animation feature. It has applications far beyond the uses described here.

Where and how I used this: I use this program both as a classroom display device and as a tool for individual students to complete their assignments in situations which call for a graphing calculator. I also encourage them to download the software onto their home computers. It fits in with the current Connected Math program in our school.

Send comments to Jeff LeMieux at tackweed@whidbey.net