Digital competence is undoubtedly one of the key skills that teaching staff should possess. Currently, there are many theoretical frameworks and ways to measure skills and knowledge related to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). This article is an attempt to show the real and declared level of digital skills among future…

We examine teachers' classroom activities with the spreadsheet, focusing especially on episodes marked by improvisation and uncertainty. The framework is based on Saxe's cultural approach to cognitive development. The study considers two teachers, one positively disposed towards classroom use of technology, and the other not, both of them…

This paper was prepared in response to the Conference Board of Mathematical Sciences recommendations for the preparation of secondary teachers. It shows how using trigonometry as a conceptual tool in spreadsheet-based applications enables one to develop mathematical understanding in the context of constructing geometric representations of unit…

This paper shows how inequalities can be utilized in reducing dimensionality of problems associated with the partition of unit fractions into the sums of two, three, and four like fractions. The need for such a reduction in this context stems from using a spreadsheet as a modelling tool. Activities described in this paper are grounded in standards…

Presents activities for teaching the logistic growth model using calculators and spreadsheets. (ASK)

Describes the generation of all the tables required for school-level study of statistics using Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet package. Highlights cumulative binomial probabilities, cumulative Poisson probabilities, normal distribution, t-distribution, chi-squared distribution, F-distribution, random numbers, and accuracy. (JRH)

Describes a spreadsheet that can be used to show the changes in intensity of Fraunhofer diffraction patterns produced by a single and double slits arrangement. Discusses a practical demonstration of diffraction that allows data to be logged and entered into the spreadsheet. (DDR)

Presents an example of an introductory lesson on spreadsheets which provides a quick overview/revision of the essential elements of spreadsheeting before progressing to programmed exercises. (ASK)

Discusses ways in which datalogging equipment can enable titration curves to be measured accurately and how computing power can be used to predict the shape of curves. Highlights include sources of error, use of spreadsheets to generate titration curves, titration of a weak acid with a strong alkali, dibasic acids, weak acid and weak base, and…

Demonstrates the application of spreadsheet analysis in solving equations beyond quadratics. Considers the costs of interest, gasoline, and maintenance in deciding how long it pays to keep a car. (MKR)

Explores simple equations such as the exponential decay function, a terminal velocity situation, and the more complex situations of the simple harmonic oscillator and damped oscillations. (Author/CCM)

Describes the use of spreadsheets to discuss mathematical concepts without using algebraic notation. Presents examples using Fibonacci numbers and factorials. (MKR)

Presents activities involving equal sharing, weighted averages, mean, median, mode, average cubes, and iterated averages, the last of which involves the use of a spreadsheet or graphing calculator. Includes reproducible student worksheets and questions for discussion. (MKR)

Presents a graphing activity to show transverse and longitudinal waves using spreadsheets. (Author/NB)

Presents attributes of different types of software including Logo, geometric packages, graphical packages, and spreadsheets, each of which offers different opportunities for learning. Investigates the different ways in which the software allows for performing the given task so as to make the mathematics of the task explicit to users. (KHR)