Explores how students interpret algebraic notation and what teachers can do to support appropriate interpretations. Presents two research-based strategies and concludes that in the face of reform and technological advances, finding a definition for symbol sense takes on added significance. Contains 22 references. (ASK)

Discusses reasons for using spreadsheets in mathematics education. Presents mathematics activities for beginning algebra classes using spreadsheets. (ASK)

Describes how different operations on matrices can be modeled with simple spreadsheets. Presents three activities on this topic. (ASK)

This book seeks to develop, enhance, and expand students' understanding of mathematics by using technology. Topics covered include the advantages of spreadsheets along with the opportunity to explore the 'what if?' type of questions encountered in the problem-solving process, enhancing the user's insight into the development and use of algorithms,…

Provides an activity to investigate and construct an inductive proof. Claims that this particular example helps students better understand the nature of inductive reasoning and inductive proofs since the expression can be investigated by spreadsheets or calculators, hypothesized, tested, and modeled, both physically and pictorially, to at least…

Describes the use of manipulatives for solving simple combinatorial problems which can lead to the discovery of recurrence relations for permutations and combinations. Numerical evidence and visual imagery generated by a computer spreadsheet through modeling these relations can enable students to experience the ease and power of combinatorial…

States that thinking about numerical procedures starts in the elementary grades and continues in successive grades until students can eventually express and reflect on the procedures using algebraic symbolism. Outlines how such thinking can progress to algebraic reasoning. Illustrates how computers can be used to promote this progression through…

Most teachers face the challenge of bringing technology into classrooms with only one computer. This article describes how one computer can serve the needs of many students: connecting it to a TV or projection device to display agendas, Web sites, microscope slides and other scientific instruments, and spreadsheets; tabulate data; deliver…

Provides a lesson that focuses on three-dimensional graphing, contours, and topographical maps using computer spreadsheets. (ASK)

Many believe that technology offers the most benefit to students and teachers when it is integrated into the core curriculum rather than being taught as a separate discipline. This publication is intended to assist teachers in incorporating technology into learning activities in mathematics and science. Chapters emphasize issues concerning…

Presents activities to demonstrate the use of spreadsheets in mathematics classrooms. Emphasizes writing across the curriculum and interdisciplinary team teaching. Argues that spreadsheets allow students to make projections, comparisons, and contrasts. (ASK)

Described is an instructional method that makes use of an electronic spreadsheet for the numerical and graphical introduction of the fundamentals of Taylor polynomials. Included is a demonstration spreadsheet using the expansion polynomial to evaluate the cosine function. (JJK)

Presents a lab experiment to demonstrate application of the iterative capability of spreadsheets. Activity involves a variable spacing parallel-plate capacitor and an electrometer. (PR)

Microsoft Excel is a sophisticated and flexible reporting, planning, and presentation tool that teachers can use effectively for curriculum prep, class projects, budget planning and reporting, and even as a database. This book, a how-to guide for teachers at all grade levels, provides information on the fundamentals of creating powerful…

This book focuses on designing instruction that integrates the use of computer assisted resources. There are 19 chapters in four parts. Part 1, "Strategies for Teaching with Standard Utility Software Programs," includes (1) "Paint Programs"; (2) "Graphic Organizers"; (3) "Graphing Programs"; (4)…