{"title":"Rotomat®","description":"\u003cp\u003eRotomat is a deceptively simple tool. When used by students with the innovative Rotomat activity series in classrooms it can develop a deep, flexible, understanding of angle. Rotomat is available in class sets or individually packaged with Mathomat geometry templates.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"rotomat-class-set-of-40","title":"Rotomat® class set of 40","description":"\u003cp\u003eStudents need to to be able to see the geometric structure of angle in objects and events in the world around them. The ability to mentally manipulate and project this structure, and to estimate angle size, in a variety of different situations is sometimes referred to as having a conceptual protractor. This skill is needed before being able to use a physical protractor with confidence, as well as to engage successfully with mathematics topics such as shape property, circle properties and unit circle trigonometry. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRotomat can be thought of as a physical model of a conceptual protractor. It presents students with the bare structural elements of angle - two sides and a common vertex. The dynamic action of Rotomat gives students a compelling physical connection to the relationship between these structural elements. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRotomat builds on the original Rotagram activity card series by Geoff Giles (1979). However, the Rotomat and its related series of activities, also makes a significant change. This is the result of my PhD research into the conceptualisation of angle in geometry education. The 12 printable investigations that are supplied with class packs of Rotomat are designed to guide the development in students of a conceptual protractor. This is achieved by asking students to engage in the progressively more sophisticated imagination and projection of structural angle elements. In the Rotomat activities there is a shift in focus, away from the traditional emphasis on rotation and onto the geometric structure of angle. Doing this involves replacing the terms \u003cem\u003erotation \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eturn \u003c\/em\u003ewith the terms \u003cem\u003eopenness \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003espread\u003c\/em\u003e. Using these new terms causes the lesson, and its students, to focus more effectively on the underlying attribute of angle which makes it measurable. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a description of the Rotomat activity series, and sample activity print outs available in the Mathomat Activity Centre (MAC). There is a background statement on some of my research findings underpinning Rotomat activities in the presentation and research papers section of this site. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother difference between Rotomat and the Rotagram is the way it is manufactured. Rotagram is a tool that students can build themselves. This, along with other \"paper engineering\" style projects in the classroom, is important for many reasons. The Rotomat is factory made. In situations in which teaching involving the concept of angle is the main priority, Rotomat may represent  a more convenient option for teachers. Rotomat is made from crystal clear high quality plastic, it is riveted together so that its action is smooth and accurate, and the central eyelet can act as a sighting gauge for the vertex of the angle being measured. The design of Rotomat minimises the problem of scratching. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRotomat is an ongoing project. I trust that teachers will find it a valuable resource. I look forward to the ongoing development of the Rotomat activity series. I am interested in experimental classroom teaching of angle, and welcome feedback and discussion with teachers (online or in person) about their lesson ideas. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Lawton\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublisher. November, 2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNote: Rotomat will be available in February 2027. To encourage pre-ordering it is currently priced at $200 for a pack of 40. This is a 15% discount on the $235 that it will be priced at after February next year. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mathomat geometry drawing template","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68028255404190,"sku":"H41 103 00400","price":200.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1665\/3899\/files\/ROTOMAT_v3_RotatingPlotter_PRINTartwork_jpeg.jpg?v=1794538595"}],"url":"https:\/\/mathomat.com.au\/collections\/rotomat.oembed","provider":"Mathomat geometry drawing template","version":"1.0","type":"link"}