The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) review of the impact of digital technology on learning, "The Impact of Digital Technology on Learning: A Summary for the Education Endowment Foundation. Full Report" (Higgins et al., 2012) (ED612174), found positive benefits but noted that how technology is used (the pedagogy) is key and that…

Two experiments were conducted, contrasting a minimally guided discovery condition with a variety of instructional conditions. College students interacted with a computer-based tutor that presented algebra-like problems in a novel graphical representation. Although the tutor provided no instruction in a discovery condition, it constrained the…

A personal experience is described concerning problem solving that incorporates the computer to help generate multiple examples of proposed conjectures as solutions. The positive potential of technology to allow students of mathematics to experience the process of discovering mathematics through conjecture and generalization is emphasized. (MDH)

Explores families of parabolas that result from the graphs of quadratic functions. Computer software allows students to quickly depict a series of graphs and make conjectures about emerging patterns. Discusses cases in different parameters in the quadratic are varied to produce different effects in which the parabolas. (MDH)

Much constructive computer and programable calculator activity can be stimulated by BASIC programs that are only three or four lines in length. This article illustrates several ideas with accompanying BASIC program, particularly related to the learning of algebraic concepts, that can be explored with both elementary and secondary mathematics…

Discusses the dynamics and outcomes of an unplanned classroom activity that developed from the integration of the use of spreadsheets with the study of the characteristics of previously collected seashells, specifically their color, size, shape, texture, and any other obvious differences. (JJK)

Presents several problems that use calculator or computer-generated graphs of the absolute value function as related to the maximum and minimum functions to illustrate the statistical concepts of range, median, mean, and variance. (MDH)

Computational environments that provide integrated numeric, symbolic, and graphical capabilities provide new opportunities for laboratories in Numerical Analysis. Hermite interpolation is one topic that can benefit from such an environment. Describes a laboratory session using Mathematica that allows students to actively experience Hermite…

Presents a study to determine whether computer use in guided-discovery learning episodes would enhance the problem-solving ability of secondary school students (n=147). Results indicate interaction between low- and middle-level students' mathematical achievement and treatment groups, while high-level students performed well regardless of approach.…

This empirical investigation, implemented with a computer program, examined the influence of graphical and numerical representations on the discovery process involving iteration sequence properties and concomitant problem-solving abilities for 79 eleventh grade students and 22 secondary mathematics teachers. Results indicate that heuristics and…

Twelve middle school students, working in pairs, used a computer microworld to explore introductory geometric transformational concepts. Despite a tendency for symbolic overgeneralization, the students were able to use visual feedback from the microworld and discussions with partners to correct their own mistakes. (Author/JJK)

Discusses the use of the computer software MINITAB in teaching statistics to explore concepts, simulate games of chance, transform the normal variable into a z-score, and stimulate small and large group discussions. (MDH)

Describes the Microworld Chance, a simulation-oriented computer environment that allows students to explore probability concepts in five subenvironments: coins, dice, spinners, thumbtacks, and marbles. Results of a teaching experiment to examine the effectiveness of the microworld in changing students' misconceptions about probability are…

Uses Derive as an instructional tool to investigate asymptotic behavior of rational functions. Activities focus on reducing manipulation and computation and on generating multiple examples to focus on discovery of the concept rather than a summary of rules. (MLN)

Demonstrates how the uniqueness and anonymity of a student's Social Security number can be utilized to create individualized polynomial equations that students can investigate using computers or graphing calculators. Students write reports of their efforts to find and classify all real roots of their equation. (MDH)