Using geometry pad to help show certain mathematical ideas.

Today while attending the ibookhack I figured out how to use geometry pad free to show students that the median and perpendicular bisecter always divide the opposite side regardless of where the vertex.  I can create a triangle using the triangle maker, not any of the specific triangles, just the general one.  Then I choose the line segment and draw it is it is either the median (one end is longer than the triangle) or the perpendicular bisector (longer than both sides). I then placed a finger on the top vertex of the triangle and slide it back and forth changing the type of triangle but the median or perpendicular bisector remains the same.  I can use my iPod to record the movement, e-mail the video to myself, import it into iMovie, add sound and I have a short video to post or use in an iBook.  I realize I could use reflector but I do not always have access to wireless signals so this is a way I can do what I want.

I got the video done and I hope I manage to post it properly.

Geometry pad.

I am having fun having the kids explore this to help them learn more about transformations.  I started by having them practice creating reflections beginning with coordinate points.  They graph the points and then create the reflection.  I am using this as a way for students to discover the way reflection works.  Tomorrow, we are going to use the application to learn more about translations.  I know we can use it for rotation, but I just have to see if it can be used to help them discover dilation
On the other hand, I tried to figure out if any of my math apps offer the summation and didn't find it on either calc made easy free or free calc graph.  The my script calculator does not recognize the summation symbol.  So I need to do further investigation.
My seniors are really enjoying using the free graph calc to explore transformations of log base 10 and log base something else.  Even in Algebra II, I am using this app to help them learn to "read" the graph for real zeros, domain, range, y intercept etc for quadratics.  I've found over the years that my students need visual representation to help increase their learning.