Lesson Title:

Quadratic Equation through WolframAlpha

Grade Level:

9th

Subject:

Algebra

Description of Learning Goals, Standards, Objectives

CC/GPSs:

MM1A3. Students will solve simple equations.

a. Solve quadratic equations in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0, where
a = 1, by using factorization and finding square roots where
applicable
b. Solve simple rational equations that result in linear equations or
quadratic equations with leading coefficient of 1.

National Technology
Standards:

6. Technology operations and concepts Students demonstrate

a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and
operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems

Long-Term Learning
Goal or Outcome:

At the end of this assignment I would like my students to have an

understanding of how to use WolframAlpha, as well as be able to solve
a quadratic equation through many different steps.

ABCD Objectives or
Outcomes:
Diversity

There are many students in my class of all different ethnicities. It

shouldnt be too big of a factor in learning, since we are dealing with
math. However, WolframAlpha deals with learning through a computer
and many students might not have any access to a computer at home.
We will do these lessons in the computer lab that is provided by our
school, so each child has the opportunity to see how the engine works.

Learning Styles

Many of these students are used to writing down problems with pencil
and paper, this will give students an easier and faster way of learning.
This engine also breaks down the problem as to exactly how to find the
answer to the problem that they are trying to solve.

Background Curriculum

At this point, students should be able to simplify

algebraic and
numeric expressions involving square root, perform operations
with square roots, add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials,
expand binomials using the Binomial Theorem, add, subtract,
multiply, and divide rational expressions, factor expressions by
greatest common factor, grouping, trial and error, and special
products. These are the steps that lead up to learning how to solve

the quadratic formula.

Long Term Learning
Goal or Outcome

At the end of the lesson, my students will be able to solve an

equation using the quadratic formula for big numbers without
having to use the factor rule.

Description of Assessment
Assessment Plan:

I will know if my students have met the following criteria above by doing
a little sample quiz and practice questions of the topics above, before
moving onto learning about the quadratic formula and equation solving.

add, subtract, multiply, and divide

rational expressions and factor expressions by greatest common
factor, grouping, trial and error, and special products to get the
students up to the point of solving the quadratic equation.
They should at least be able to

Description of Activities with Technology and Materials

Activity Design:

Day 1 Day 5

Class starter and lesson connection:

Have you students ever wanted to type in a math

question and automatically get an answer without
having to use a calculator or figure out if youre
doing the right steps to get that answer?
Allow the students to give their opinions on
calculators in the class and the use of calculators
not in the class. Also ask them how many of them
use a computer to get a lot of their assignments
done day to day. Also, ask what is easier; writing
or typing and what is better to understand.

Teacher and student activities:

Class, what we will do is I will figure out your prior

knowledge of using computers and what way you
better learn. Is it by writing things down, or using
a computer to calculate out the steps that you
need to go by?
We will use both strategies to see what level you
are on of each. We at the end though will get you
to use WolframAlpha to see how easier it is to
compute your answer to check with and make
sure that you get the steps down correctly.
What I want to happen, is that I will give you a
problem. You will factor it and solve it out until
you get it in this form- 0=ax 2 + bx + c. Then,

will have you put those numbers into the

quadratic equation formula on WolframAlpha
and see if you followed the same steps that it
gives you.
Technology Connection:

Because some students might not have the

technology provided at their house for this, we
will you the math lab at school to go over some
problems and examples that you can use.
I will have my students work with a partner. I will
have one student do it on paper, and one student
do the problem on WolframAlpha. I will have
them compare their answers and see if they are a
match. They then will trade off and the other
student will use the WolframAlpha and the other
use pen and paper. It is just a better way for more
practice and it is a way for them to be able to be
independent without a computer as well.

Materials and Resources:

Computer Lab
Geometry Book for reference problems
WolframAlpha engine

Reflection on Lesson Design

Future Actions :

As a teacher in the making, I incorporated past

learning lessons into this one through steps that
came before the quadratic equation so they
students would have a better understanding of
the material that they are learning.
One thing I will try to incorporate differently is
have this lesson entirely online and not also with
pen and paper. I will see if my kids get a better
understanding through WolframAlpha or stick
with the traditional method of pen and paper.
If I had the time or resources, I would also add
more engines and lesson plans to their learning
experience, so that they would gain more
knowledge and a better understanding of the
quadratic equation.