Project: Phase #2 – Needs Assessment
1. Description of Ideal
a. Skills Needed
 Plot points on a coordinate system
 Solve equations for a given variable
b. Knowledge Needed
 Parts of a coordinate system (x-axis, y-axis, origin, quadrants)
 Concepts of how to read graphs and charts containing data
points.
c. Resources??
 Access to computers with T1 line (At school), access to
computer with internet at home.
 Textbooks
 Graphing Calculators
 Geometer Sketchpad (Software)
d. Institutional Support
 More money for advanced technology$$$$$$$$$$$$$
2. Description of Data from the field.
I do not have specific data readily available. I will be researching this further in the
near future. I can say, however, that my own “observational data” (not collected with
any research methods) is that students will learn this topic better if they are intimately
engaged in the processes of learning. Students need to be “doing and talking” about
the material, not “listening and writing” about the material.
3. Description of resources and constraints
What I have
 Classroom computer access
 Computer lab with internet access
 A school server
 Classroom set Graphing calculators
 A “white board” (smartboard)
 Textbook resources
What I wish I had…..


TI-Connect hardware and software
A web site to place materials for students to access from home.

Software to develop self-paced, computer based instructional activities for
students more efficiently.
Time Constraints
I have the students for 51 minutes every day. I may not have access to the computer lab
every day because it is shared by teachers. I need to get this unit completed within the
four week span so that I have adequate time to cover other material during the school
year.
4. When this instructional unit is complete, students will be able to:
a. Write an equation of a linear function in standard form and slope-intercept
form if given two points, one point and slope, slope and y-intercept, or
given a graph of a line.
b. Graph an equation of a line.
c. Create a scatter plot of data, determine the best-fit line visually, and
determine a linear regression equation for the data.
d. Work with function notation
e. Use Geometer’s Sketchpad and graphing calculator to create the graphs of
linear functions.
I will consider the students competent in the material if they can successfully demonstrate
the skills above 75-80% of the time.
(Passing in our high school is 60%. I consider competency to be 80% and above.)