sketchometry

sketchometry

I've been looking for a good geometry sketching tool lately to use with my 7 grade classes as we've gotten into more geometry related material under the Common Core than I used to under the old CA standards.

I've used GeoGebra before but I found it had some limitations.  The text I'm using (GoMath) mentioned using a geometry software program and proceeded to explain what to do in such a program.  I found that GeoGebra was lacking in some capabilities that were expected from the program. (Specifically the ability to specify line segment lengths and connect their end points together.  This was for a lesson on triangles.)

So I spent a few weeks Googling away for something.  As usual, I did several searches at various different times with not much luck.  And then this last Monday I somehow hit the right terms in the right order and voila, sketchometry.

Pros:

• clean and intuitive interface; it didn't take me long to figure it out
• saving of previous works
• multi-platform: web, Chrome Store, iOS, Android, Windows, OSX, Linux, you name it (even FirefoxOS!)
• measuring tools to help students analyze what they create
• being currently developed further and improved upon
• many aspects that can be changed (color, size, opacity) to help differentiate
• excellent documentation

Cons:

• I've found the web reliability can be a bit hit and miss (freezing, trouble loading, slow to respond)
• Lacking or nonexistent in some areas that Geogebra does have (3D for one)

I haven't used the program extensively yet, but I'm looking forward to trying it out more with my classes as we hit more of the geometry standards through the year.  But I did want to share it out there for anyone looking for such a beast.

Creation Tools:

Measuring Tools:

Properties Tools: