The Graphing Calculator as an Aid to Teaching Algebra ED 310-02 Brianna Scott

Uses of graphing calculators How do graphing calculators help students gain more knowledge in math classrooms?

Purpose #1 Used after the mastery of a skill. Speed Used after the mastery of a skill. Compute, graph, and create a table of values quickly.

Purpose #2 Leaping Hurdles Can study algebra in a meaningful way. Lower level courses will not be remedial. Calculators can perform skills not mastered from previous classes.

Purpose #3 Connections Students can make connections between different representations of models. Users can quickly maneuver between tabular, graphical, and algebraic forms.

Purpose #4 Realism Teachers are no longer limited to contrived data with simple solutions. Data analysis can be integrated into lessons now.

Graphing calculators get more and more sophisticated as the years go on. There are many apps that you can use these days. From my article, I will be discussing the outcome from a study of a program called CasioFX2.0.

CasioFX2.0 Leads students step-by-step through symbolic reasoning to solve a linear algebraic equation. Tutorials for 4 different types of algebraic problems: linear equations, linear inequalities, simultaneous equations, and quadratic equation.

EXAMPLE

Effects of CASiofx2.0 Lower Level upper Level One young lady from the lower quartile commented, “It makes it so we don’t have to think. One student in the medium group summarized his experience as follows: “Before this, I felt scared. I still don’t like algebra, but I feel more comfortable trying to solve these things [equations] because I know I have the answer.” One young man in the upper quartile mentioned, “The tutorial is wonderful!!! It gives us an opportunity to check our answers so we have extra confidence. It is also very useful because it shows us the steps if we forget.”

Suggestion of Purpose #5 Skill Development Through tutorials, students develop stronger skills in solving equations. Teachers don’t have to walk students through steps.

My thoughts I think that it is vitally important to a math classroom that graphing calculators be integrated into lessons. There are so many things that can be done using calculators these days and students will no longer just have to do math on their own. There is a calculator in nearly everyone's’ hands these days.

Reference The Graphing Calculator as an Aid to Teaching Algebra Robert M. Horton Clemson University Judy Storm Andrew College William H. Leonard http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwjT86TplNXKAhUMwiYKHf0fDyQQFgglMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.citejournal.org%2Farticles%2Fv4i2mathematics1.pdf&usg=AFQjCNE1Vh6mfvbd06N5yGFwa2YMuk-RpQ&sig2=mBL5qEVLdGovtg-VmWZymw

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