I recently had an opportunity to try Doug Smeltz's GeoLab for the TI- 82. This group of programs will simulate a geometry construction/measurement progam similar to Sketchpad or Cabri.
I was impressed by the scope of functions available in this progam. I followed one of Dave's sample lesson plans on investigating the sum of the angle measures of a polygon. It works! Not only do you get to draw a polygon of up to 13 sides, but the progam enables you to measure the angles by moving to a vertex. You are also given an opportunity to move one of the vertices to create a new polygon. With several trials, students can then make conjectures regarding the sum of the angles of a polygon.
Geolab has great potential for classroom use. Students will now have an opportunity to explore various geometric properties without waiting for the computer lab room to become available. There is, however, one minor shortcoming. GeoLab uses the entire memory of your TI-82. It is important to save all current work and/or programs before loading GeoLab.
Mr. Smeltz has made GeoLab available for free distribution within the educational community. If you are interested in obtaining additional information you can contact Mr. Smeltz at:
Fort Hayes JS, 54 Jack Gibbs Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215, (614)882- 8625
Home Address: 206 Directors Ct., Westerville, OH 43081, (614)365- 6681, smeltz@zeus.franklin.edu