In a classroom environment in which continual access to graphing calculators is assumed, items that have been used to assess students' understanding of functions often are no longer appropriate. Describes strategies for modifying such items including requiring students to explain their reasoning, using calculator-active items, analyzing graphs and…

Describes an activity in which students are given a set of designs and are required to use their electronic grapher to reproduce the designs. The activity reinforces students' understanding of lines and of the formula for a linear function. (MKR)

A proposal for teaching how to graph functions is presented on the basis of the teaching theory of didactical situations implemented by the French author Guy Brousseau. The proposal is aimed at students in 12th grade in high school (USA) or in a freshman calculus course. The TI-92 graphic calculator was used as a teaching aid. (Author/ASK)

This book contains an interactive calculator and worksheet program designed to teach the graphing of some of the functions that appear in high school mathematics courses. The graphs of linear, exponential, and logarithmic functions are explored as well as other functions. Activities focus on the graph that appears as a standard part of algebra…

This paper has two goals. The first is to present a model of the acquisition of a concept image of function. Theories describing the objectification of function are outlined through two different but related paths, and both stem from the conception of function as a process. The first path to objectification involves the generalization of the…

The concept of function is central in mathematics and grows in importance as one progresses in depth and breadth of understanding mathematics. Results from national assessment progress reports indicate that the majority of students do not comprehend the concepts of function and graphing. Technology has the potential to improve the understanding of…

Describes an experimental study in which two sections of calculus were taught using the same materials, except one section was enhanced with the computer algebra system Mathematica. Results indicated that the students in the technology group had advantages to understanding certain key topics in calculus such as limits, derivatives, and curve…

Appropriate uses for graphics calculators in precalculus and calculus are discussed. The functions of Casio, Sharp, and Hewlett-Packard brand calculators are stressed. A "Stress Test" for graphics calculators designed to illustrate common errors and to furnish examples of tasks which cannot be completed on these instruments is provided.…

Argues that while microcomputer and graphing calculators have evolved to a stage where they should be used routinely by mathematics students at all levels, there is sometimes potential to mislead students with computer generated graphs. Examples are included. (PK)

Discussed are the use of spreadsheets for demonstrating and exploring with the whole class, basic and advanced spreadsheet operations, geometric progressions, and graphing. Teacher responses to these methods are described. (CW)

Specific programs and software resources are described in this report on function plotters to be used in secondary mathematics instruction. Products are entered in alphabetical order and the following information is provided for each package included: (1) producer; (2) hardware needed; (3) required peripherals; (4) grade level; (5) price; (6)…

This document contains the proceedings of the 22nd annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education held October 7-10, 2000, in Tucson, Arizona. Selected papers include: (1) "Dealing with Complexity: New Paradigms for Research in Mathematics Education" (Richard Lesh); (2) "Algebra…

This two-volume document provides the proceedings of a conference on the psychology of mathematics education. Plenary session themes were "Diversity and Equity," (with papers by Gilah Leder; Walter Secada; and Ubiratan D'Ambrosio), "Teacher Education," (with a paper by Thomas Cooney), and "Technology" (with papers by…