The Sensos-e is a biannual electronic multimedia journal, focused on research, innovation, development and action in Education. The current number is the first of the second volume, with the main topic “GeoGebra in Education”.
GeoGebra, created by Markus Hohenwarter, is a dynamic mathematics software that can be used in all educational levels, from basic until university. This software was built with an educational intent. When used in a classroom environment, may facilitate the geometry teaching and learning process. Following this editorial, this number presents a small text, written by Markus Hohenwarter, about GeoGebra world community.
The four papers presented right after the Foreword resulted from a collaboration with the 4th Geogebra Day Portugal (ESE/IPP, 31st May 2014).
With regard to papers received, it should be mentioned that seven proposals were submitted, linked to the central theme for this issue of the journal and two about other issues of Education, as the Call for Papers allows. After double blind review, which preserved the anonymity of authors and reviewers, of the nine papers received, only six have been accepted for publication (five of which related to the subject “GeoGebra in Education”). The revision work was carried out by recognized researchers in the scientific area, including elements of the Editorial Board of the journal and invited experts.
In the paper “Introduction to hyperbolic plane, using GeoGebra”, whose authors are Claudia Maia and Lucile Vandembroucq, a characterization of the model called Poincaré Disk, and constructions of a tessellation using regular polygons in GeoGebra are presented.
In “The Riemann Sphere in GeoGebra,” the authors, José Manuel dos Santos dos Santos and Ana Breda, show us how to create a tool in GeoGebra, to study properties of the stereographic projection. This study identified advantages in using this tool in the non-trivial mathematical questions, such as the view of the application of the stereographic projection, to study properties of the Riemann sphere and Möbius transformation.
In the paper “GeoGebra: for education, for mathematics”, the author Celina Abar describes activities, carried out by the group ” Tecnologias e Meios de Expressão em Matemática” from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC / SP), using GeoGebra. The results show that, to promote an improvement in mathematics education, teachers need to overcome difficulties in the use of technology, and should integrate it in teaching practice, in particular GeoGebra, since it facilitates the construction of mathematical knowledge.
The article “Tecnhichal Advantages of GeoGebra to functional models and diferencial calculus development in high school”, by Catarina Oliveira Lucas, shows how GeoGebra could promote the construction and manipulation of functional models in the study of differential calculus in high school.
In the paper “GeoGebra in the study of plane isometries”, the authors Dárida Fernandes and Nuno Silva present an approach to teaching isometries content of the plan, in the sixth grade. Through this work, it was possible to verify that the complementarity of traditional tools, such as ruler and compass, and GeoGebra favoured the acquisition of content knowledge by students.
In the paper “Appropriation of space by children in kindergartens,” the author, Miguel Castro, argues that in order to promote the harmonious growth and learning, children should be subject to significant experiences of appropriation of space. This paper also presents a set of activities to be implemented in kindergartens, prepared with the students of Teaching Practice in the Portalegre Education School.
The editor of number 1 of Volume II of the Sensos-e thanks: to the authors, who submitted publications proposals; to the reviewers, members of the Editorial Board; and to the invited reviewers, for the precious collaboration and also to the Editorial Director of Sensos-e, Dra. Maria João Silva, for the invitation to edit this number.
We hope that Sensos-e readers enjoy this number, and may raise awareness to the papers published.