Desmos
Desmos is a free, web‑based mathematics platform that provides interactive graphing tools, classroom activities, and student‑driven investigations. Desmos allows students to visualize mathematical relationships, test conjectures, and engage in discussion‑based learning through dynamic representations. In classrooms, Desmos is used to support conceptual understanding, mathematical discourse, and inquiry‑based instruction across grade levels.
Tech Level
Intermediate
Grade Bands
3–12
Explore the Tool
- Go to https://www.desmos.com/ and sign in with a school account.
- Select Classroom Activities to browse lessons by grade level or concept.
- Launch an activity and share the session code with students.
- Monitor student responses and facilitate discussion using the teacher dashboard.
- Interactive Graphing Calculator: Students explore functions, tables, and graphs dynamically.
- Desmos Classroom Activities: Structured, discussion‑based lessons designed to surface student thinking.
- Teacher Dashboard: View responses in real time to guide questioning and pacing.
- Multiple Representations: Connect equations, tables, graphs, and visuals in one environment.
- Device Friendly: Works on Chromebooks, tablets, and computers.
AVID Strategy Connections
✏️ Writing
- Mathematical Explanations: Students explain patterns, relationships, and reasoning using written responses embedded in activities.
- Reflection Prompts: Learners summarize what changed, why it changed, and what they noticed.
💡 Inquiry
- Notice & Wonder: Students explore graphs and models, generate questions, and test ideas.
- Conjecture Testing: Learners manipulate variables to investigate “what happens if…?” scenarios.
💬 Collaboration
- Math Discourse: Desmos activities are designed to prompt discussion and comparison of strategies.
- Whole‑Class Conversations: Teachers select and sequence student responses to build understanding.
🗂️ Organization
- Structured Learning Flow: Activities guide students through conceptual progressions.
- Visual Organization: Representations help students organize mathematical thinking.
📖 Reading
- Reading Mathematical Representations: Students interpret graphs, tables, and equations as texts.
- Prompt Analysis: Learners read and respond to carefully designed questions within activities.
Accessibility Spotlight
Desmos supports inclusive learning by emphasizing visual models, multiple representations, and interactive exploration rather than procedural memorization. Students can engage with content at their own pace while teachers adjust instruction based on real‑time evidence of understanding. The platform’s design supports multilingual learners and students who benefit from concrete, visual representations of abstract mathematical concepts.
