Teaching geometry using Logo/Python turtle module, or how to sneak programming into maths class
summary
Uses Python turtle (Logo) and the Grok Learning platform to teach Year 7 geometry by coding shapes; prototypes run as two turtle problems inside a 2015 NCSS-style challenge with 6,000 students and 500 teachers, plus a dedicated pilot with 91 Year 7 students across four classes. Results show clear wins (students enjoy drawing shapes, 388 survey responses mostly positive, 18 didn’t realise they were doing maths) but also failure modes: maths difficulty spikes, pacing and curriculum pressure make teacher uptake uneven.
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chapters (9)
- 0:00The need for programming
- 1:22Curriculum and challenges
- 4:47Integrating math and code
- 6:50Introducing logo/turtle
- 8:31Turtle challenge demo
- 14:46Feedback and results
- 17:11Refining the course
- 21:10Future directions
- 23:03Q&A session
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