GeoGebra

http://www.geogebra.org/cms/
 * GeoGebra**

GeoGebra is a piece of open source mathematics software. It can be used for graphing, algebra, and even calculus. Users can graph, draw, and calculate a number of different things. Graphics and spreadsheet features are also available. When the user draws on the grid or axes, the program will keep track of coordinates of every point. It can also calculate angles and reflect objects about a line. It would be a great use of technology in science and mathematics classrooms because it allows students to interactively manipulate objects or functions, allowing students to (1) reinforce the material learned in class through learning by doing and, perhaps, (2) make some of their own inferences about mathematical patterns by exploring them.

The program is free to non-commercial users and requires no registration. It can either be downloaded or run directly from the web browser. An offline installer is also offered, which allows students who do not have an Internet connection to use the program at home, a feature that promotes the equitable use of technology. It is written in Java and can be run on most operating systems. GeoGebra could be integrated into any science or math classroom, but students in grades 5-12 or in higher education would (in my opinion) probably get the most use out of it, as they have more experience with the topics that are featured.

On its own, this software does not necessarily support meta-cognition. Performing the geometric manipulations that this program allows, although interactive, does not necessarily provide students with an understanding of their own learning processes. However, a teacher could ask students to reflect on how use of GeoGebra improved their understanding of a difficult topic; such an assignment could be considered supportive of meta-cognition.

Below is a screenshot of a polygon and a circle I drew. I reflected the polygon about two lines and calculated an angle using three points on the circle.