In this article, the authors share activities designed to help students make a connection between the complex roots of X[superscript 2] - 2x + 5 = 0 and the graph of y = X[superscript 2] - 2x + 5. We piloted these activities in three precalculus classes. The activities involved both concrete and technological representations of the mathematical…

As solar energy becomes increasingly affordable, many schools are considering installing new solar power systems. In this article, the authors present Solarize Your School, an engineering project that gives students the opportunity to design and evaluate solar power solutions for their own schools. This STEM project requires students to learn and…

Proportional reasoning pops up in math class in a variety of places, such as while making scaled drawings; finding equivalent fractions; converting units of measurement; comparing speeds, prices, and rates; and comparing lengths, areas, and volume. Students need to be exposed to a variety of representations to develop a sound understanding of this…

A well-known experiment for the measurement of the acceleration of gravity is carried out on a personal computer using standard software for a sound card in a non-canonical way, which provides an improved, more accurate, result and is a useful teaching method for a traditional classroom experiment. (Contains 3 figures and 1 footnote.)

Since the dawn of civilization, pictorial representations and symbols have been used to communicate simple statistics. Efficient and effective, they are still used today in the form of pictures and graphs to record and present data. Who can tie their shoes? How many calories are in your favorite food? Make data and graphs relevant and interesting…

This book is a comprehensive guide to help foreign language teachers use technology in their classrooms. It offers the best ways to integrate technology into teaching for student-centered learning. CALL Activities include: Email; Building a Web site; Using search engines; Powerpoint; Desktop publishing; Creating sound files; iMovie; Internet chat;…

Suggestions are offered of ways in which teachers of gifted elementary students can provide nonprograming computer activities even when limited computer resources and expertise are available. Among activities noted are word processing and adventure games. (CL)

Describes a collection of widely used software programs which can help teachers be more effective. Included are graphics programs, word processing, database managers, and gradebooks. Includes names and addresses of distributors. (JDH)

Lists names and addresses of companies producing software directories, software catalogs, and professional computing journals. Suggests four considerations in ordering software. (JDH)

Spreadsheet software allows manipulation of information, helps children to find answers to questions, and encourages them to ask others. Once the teacher sets up the spreadsheet, the program does the work, showing children they can calculate anything, even when their arithmetic skills cannot. (MT)

Describes the use of barcodes to link laser discs with books in school libraries. Highlights include use of a barcode reader as a remote control device as well as a scanner, guidelines for making laser disc books, and a sidebar that explains how to make barcodes and describes software. (LRW)

Discussion of knowledge constructionism focuses on LEGO TC logo, a program that permits control of LEGO toys by means of a computer. A project for 9- and 10-year-old students that uses LEGO TC logo to develop concepts related to automatic control systems is explained. (three references) (LRW)

Urges history teachers to look into the range of tasks they can perform with word processing, database/file managers, and other software. Concludes there are numerous pedagogical uses for computers besides generating short answer tests. (Author/BSR)

The macroeconomic model in Ray C. Fair's textbook, "Specification, Estimation, and Analysis of Macroeconometric Models" (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984), has been programed to run on a personal computer. The model consists of 128 equations. The model's potential for use as a teaching tool is discussed. (RM)

To be effective, second language pronunciation training requires immediate, individualized, and informative feedback to students on the nature of the errors made. Such features can be incorporated into a computer program such as one implemented on PLATO. (MSE)