This paper reports on a study of 22 preservice teachers enrolled in a first-semester mathematics teaching methods course. Course activities included participation in two separate field experiences in neighboring school districts. The methods class placed considerable emphasis on the use of advanced digital technologies in the teaching and learning…

Graphing calculator use is often thought of in terms of pre-calculus or continuous topics in mathematics. This paper contains examples and activities that demonstrate useful, interesting, and easy ways to use a graphing calculator with discrete topics. Examples are given for each of the following topics: functions, mathematical induction and…

Presents the results of an investigation into how pre-service teachers with low-level mathematics qualifications do mathematics when using hand-held, sophisticated mathematics technology as a tool. Results indicate that students were able to master the technical aspects of the TI-92, ask relevant questions and engage in mathematical discussion,…

Explores various emerging technologies for use in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. Discusses advanced graphing calculators, networked calculators, and participatory simulations. (MM)

Questions the effectiveness of graphics calculators in developing mathematical understanding. Investigates how a small group of students actually used graphics calculators in examination conditions. Finds that very little was made of the calculator when taking the exam with most students preferring to use a scientific calculator instead unless a…

This article describes a hands-on activity that explore weaving patterns of the Tellem people. It includes a graphing calculator program that simulates the weaving pattern.

Introducing any new initiative into teaching involves professional development and training. This paper investigates the reactions of three teachers to the introduction of graphics calculators into their department. Each teacher was followed through one academic year. They were interviewed formally on two occasions and also met informally with the…

Many popular mathematical software products including Maple, Mathematica, Derive, Mathcad, Matlab, and some of the TI calculators produce incorrect graphs because they use complex arithmetic instead of "real" arithmetic. This article expounds on this issue, provides possible remedies for instructors to share with their students, and demonstrates…

This essay begins with a brief history of calculator development and presents some lessons learned about using calculators in work dating back to the 1970s. A position statement on the appropriate use of calculator technology is presented along with a discussion of some of the controversial issues that have arisen as a consequence of the use of…

This collection of activities is designed to show how graphics display calculators can be used to foster algebraic thinking in middle school students. The collection consists of five activities addressing such topics as functions, estimation and scatterplots, and patterns. Blackline masters for the activities are included. (MM)

This guide provides students with practice for all the major types of graphs they are likely to encounter. It includes information on graphs of various families of algebraic functions; bar, line, and circle graphs; the creation, reading, and interpretation of graphs; and the use of graphing calculators. (MVL)

Uses a graphing calculator to demonstrate that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal. Students graph a division problem and an equivalent problem, multiplying by the reciprocal. They find that the graphs are the same. (SKS)

Documents the experiences of 25 first-year university students with regard to the kinds of tasks calculus instructors should design in order to engage students in mathematical practices that often require the use of a graphing calculator. (MM)

Discusses planetary motion and universal gravitation using a graphing calculator. Includes program and data. (MKR)

Introduces the Sharp EL-9600 graphing calculator and its capabilities, and discusses its possible uses in mathematics classrooms. (ASK)