The Role of the Graphing Calculator in Teaching and Learning of the Concept of Function

The Role of the Graphing Calculator in Teaching and Learning of the Concept of Function PDF Author: Edouard Saidah
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Functions
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This thesis, through research literature and a short study, explores the concept of function from didactic, pedagogical and psychological perspectives. The effects of recent curriculum reforms in Quebec, current mathematics textbooks, the implementation of the graphing calculator in the teaching and the learning of the concept of function will be studied. The research literature will set the theoretical basis for this paper and will be followed by a discussion of observations made in a graphing calculator complemented secondary 4 mathematics classroom of a local high school. Subsequent to these observations, an activity was designed and presented to the students as a test in the form of a questionnaire. For purposes of the study, this activity will provide an example of the role the graphing calculator plays when learning about function. Informal assessments were made concerning the role the graphing calculator when teaching and learning the function concept. One realization that was made concerned the necessary balance between traditional paper and pencil and graphing calculator methods needed in the classroom. Another dealt with the importance of the monitored integration of the graphing calculator in the classroom in order to be able to enhance the student's learning as well as to complement the teachers' methods.

The Role of the Graphing Calculator in Teaching and Learning of the Concept of Function

The Role of the Graphing Calculator in Teaching and Learning of the Concept of Function PDF Author: Edouard Saidah
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Functions
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This thesis, through research literature and a short study, explores the concept of function from didactic, pedagogical and psychological perspectives. The effects of recent curriculum reforms in Quebec, current mathematics textbooks, the implementation of the graphing calculator in the teaching and the learning of the concept of function will be studied. The research literature will set the theoretical basis for this paper and will be followed by a discussion of observations made in a graphing calculator complemented secondary 4 mathematics classroom of a local high school. Subsequent to these observations, an activity was designed and presented to the students as a test in the form of a questionnaire. For purposes of the study, this activity will provide an example of the role the graphing calculator plays when learning about function. Informal assessments were made concerning the role the graphing calculator when teaching and learning the function concept. One realization that was made concerned the necessary balance between traditional paper and pencil and graphing calculator methods needed in the classroom. Another dealt with the importance of the monitored integration of the graphing calculator in the classroom in order to be able to enhance the student's learning as well as to complement the teachers' methods.

The Effects of the Graphing Calculator on the Teaching and Learning of the Function Concept

The Effects of the Graphing Calculator on the Teaching and Learning of the Function Concept PDF Author: Carol S. LaCroix
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Algebra
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description


The Impact of Using Graphing Calculators as an Aid for the Teaching and Learning of Precalculus in a University Setting

The Impact of Using Graphing Calculators as an Aid for the Teaching and Learning of Precalculus in a University Setting PDF Author: Carl Wallace Norris
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Calculus
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description


Integrating Research on the Graphical Representation of Functions

Integrating Research on the Graphical Representation of Functions PDF Author: Thomas A. Romberg
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136476296
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 363

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Book Description
This volume focuses on the important mathematical idea of functions that, with the technology of computers and calculators, can be dynamically represented in ways that have not been possible previously. The book's editors contend that as result of recent technological developments combined with the integrated knowledge available from research on teaching, instruction, students' thinking, and assessment, curriculum developers, researchers, and teacher educators are faced with an unprecedented opportunity for making dramatic changes. The book presents content considerations that occur when the mathematics of graphs and functions relate to curriculum. It also examines content in a carefully considered integration of research that conveys where the field stands and where it might go. Drawing heavily on their own work, the chapter authors reconceptualize research in their specific areas so that this knowledge is integrated with the others' strands. This model for synthesizing research can serve as a paradigm for how research in mathematics education can -- and probably should -- proceed.

How Students Learn

How Students Learn PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309074339
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 633

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Book Description
How do you get a fourth-grader excited about history? How do you even begin to persuade high school students that mathematical functions are relevant to their everyday lives? In this volume, practical questions that confront every classroom teacher are addressed using the latest exciting research on cognition, teaching, and learning. How Students Learn: History, Mathematics, and Science in the Classroom builds on the discoveries detailed in the bestselling How People Learn. Now, these findings are presented in a way that teachers can use immediately, to revitalize their work in the classroom for even greater effectiveness. Organized for utility, the book explores how the principles of learning can be applied in teaching history, science, and math topics at three levels: elementary, middle, and high school. Leading educators explain in detail how they developed successful curricula and teaching approaches, presenting strategies that serve as models for curriculum development and classroom instruction. Their recounting of personal teaching experiences lends strength and warmth to this volume. The book explores the importance of balancing students' knowledge of historical fact against their understanding of concepts, such as change and cause, and their skills in assessing historical accounts. It discusses how to build straightforward science experiments into true understanding of scientific principles. And it shows how to overcome the difficulties in teaching math to generate real insight and reasoning in math students. It also features illustrated suggestions for classroom activities. How Students Learn offers a highly useful blend of principle and practice. It will be important not only to teachers, administrators, curriculum designers, and teacher educators, but also to parents and the larger community concerned about children's education.

The Impact of Using Technology on Student Achievement

The Impact of Using Technology on Student Achievement PDF Author: Barbara Renee Buckner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Calculators
Languages : en
Pages : 498

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Book Description
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TI-Nspire graphing calculator use on student achievement and on teacher behavior variables of planning, teaching, and assessing. This study investigated the teaching of functions by teachers using the TI-Nspire graphing calculator versus teachers using a non-graphing scientific calculator. A review of the literature found that the emergence of calculators and computers has changed the way mathematics is both done and used (Ellington, 2006; Thorpe, 1989; & Kieran, 1992). Research also showed that students can effectively use a graphing calculator as an instructional tool to make and understand different types of representations (Choi-Koh, 2003; Colgan, 1993; and Drijvers & Doorman, 1996). Other studies have shown how graphing calculator use has engaged students in higher level thinking skills (Dessart, DeRidder, Charleen, & Ellington, 1999; Ellington, 2006; Graham & Thomas, 1998; Keller & Hirsch, 1998; Huntley, Rasmussen, Villarubi, Sangtong, & Fey, 2000; & Ronau et al., 2008). Since it is a relatively new tool, there is a limited amount of research on the classroom use of the TI-Nspire. The TI-Nspire is designed to link together multiple-representations within a single problem, so the concept of functions is an ideal context within which to study the impact of the TI-Nspire. This was a quasi-experimental study. The researcher gathered and analyzed pretest, post-test, and post post-test data on student performance on function concepts. The study included a 90 minute classroom observation of each class as well as document analysis of weekly questionnaires, daily lesson plans, and daily assessments. Vignettes employed classroom observations, document analysis, and thick description to triangulate the results of the qualitative analysis. During the summer prior to this study, all teachers attended 12 hours of training over the course of two days with a National Texas Instruments Instructor in which they were trained to use the TI-Nspire graphing calculator. Teachers were then given a TINspire, TI-Nspire emulator and access to online Atomic learning video training (Atomic Learning, 2011), to continue their exploration of the TI-Nspire. The week prior to the study, the teachers attended another day of professional development activity taught by a Texas Instruments Trained Cadre member. This "Function Focused Session" was six hours long and provided review on the TI-Nspire, specific training about teaching the function concept with the TI-Nspire, and time to create lesson plans and activities for this study. During the two weeks of treatment and two weeks of follow up, teachers met once a week for "Weekly Touchdown Sessions" a 90 minute meeting held after school to complete a weekly questionnaire, turn in lesson plans, assessments, and receive further professional development on the TI-Nspire. Providing a trained Texas Instruments Instructor on a weekly basis to answer questions, assist in providing direction for the following week, and meeting weekly with the teachers to complete questionnaires were vital strategies necessary to support teachers with this new technology tool and to assure their fidelity in treatment implementation and control maintenance. All professional development sessions were taught by Texas Instruments trained Instructors. The results from four teachers, each with one treatment class using the TI-Nspire and one control class using a non-graphing scientific calculator, were significant on the pre-test with the control group having a higher mean score than the treatment group and statistical significance on the post post-test with the treatment group having a higher mean score than the control group. While there was a statistically significant effect of Teacher Zeta on the post-post test in comparisons with the other teachers, most of the teacher effect was controlled for within the design of the study. To control for teacher effect, all teachers taught both a treatment and a control class. For each teacher, one of their two algebra classes was randomly assigned to treatment and the other was then assigned to control. There was not enough power in the data to properly analyze the effect of socioeconomic status and special education. This study supports the use of TI-Nspire graphing calculators in Algebra classrooms while studying the concept of functions. This study shows that, while using the TI-Nspire graphing calculator, the use of multiple representations and higher Depth of Knowledge activities can be used to improve student achievement, and impact classroom teaching, and lesson planning. While this study shows the impact of the TI-Nspire graphing calculator for the concept of functions, further research is needed to continue evaluating the impact of the TI-Nspire across additional mathematics topics.

Integrating Research on the Graphical Representation of Functions

Integrating Research on the Graphical Representation of Functions PDF Author: Thomas A. Romberg
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0805811346
Category : Algebra
Languages : en
Pages : 364

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Book Description
First Published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The Use of the Graphing Calculator to Support the Learning of the Function Concept by Students with Learning Disabilities in a Mathematics Classroom

The Use of the Graphing Calculator to Support the Learning of the Function Concept by Students with Learning Disabilities in a Mathematics Classroom PDF Author: Diane Carluccio
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Graphic calculators
Languages : en
Pages : 592

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Book Description


The Effects of Graphing Calculators and a Model for Conceptual Change on Community College Algebra Students' Concept of Function

The Effects of Graphing Calculators and a Model for Conceptual Change on Community College Algebra Students' Concept of Function PDF Author: Thomasenia Adams
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780530003740
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description
Abstract: Three treatment groups and a control group were compared on two dependent variables regarding their understanding of the concept of function. During the unit of study for the concept, Treatment Group I students used graphing calculators and participated in a conceptual change assignment. Treatment Group II students used graphing calculators only during study of the unit. Treatment Group III students participated in the conceptual change assignment only during the unit. Treatment Group IV served as a control group. Regarding students' understanding and application of the function concepts, domain and range, and their understanding of the concept of scale, the results of the covariate analysis revealed a significant treatment interaction effect. The least square means procedure indicated differences between Treatment Groups I and II, between Treatment Groups I and III, and between Treatment Groups III and IV. The group mean for students who used calculators only was significantly higher than the group mean for students who used calculators and participated in the assignment. The group mean for students who participated in the assignment only was significantly higher that the group means for a) students who used graphing calculators and participated in the assignment and b) students in the control group. Regarding students' ability to identify, construct, and define function, the results of the covariate analyses revealed a significant effect regarding the factor of conceptual change assignment. The group mean for students who participated in the assignment was significantly lower than the group mean for students who did not participate in the assignment. Exploratory analyses revealed that the students' definitions of the concept of function were dominated by the ordered pair representation of the concept. This point-wise view of functions was further emphasized through the students' images of the concept of function. Classroom observations of the treatment and control groups revealed additional information regarding the effect of the graphing calculator on classroom discourse. Dissertation Discovery Company and University of Florida are dedicated to making scholarly works more discoverable and accessible throughout the world. This dissertation, "The Effects of Graphing Calculators and a Model for Conceptual Change on Community College Algebra Students' Concept of Function" by Thomasenia Lott Adams, was obtained from University of Florida and is being sold with permission from the author. A digital copy of this work may also be found in the university's institutional repository, IR@UF. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation.

The Role of Graphing Calculators in Students' Algebraic Thinking

The Role of Graphing Calculators in Students' Algebraic Thinking PDF Author: Sandy Margaret Spitzer
Publisher: ProQuest
ISBN: 9780549811756
Category : Algebra
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Chapter 1 provides a review of the literature on the effects of using graphing calculators on students' mathematics achievement. General findings suggest that calculators can have a positive effect on students' performance on assessments. In particular, students using graphing calculators seem to do better on some types of problems, such as those requiring translation between different representations of a function, and perform about the same as students without calculators on procedural symbolic-manipulation problems. In order to identify possible mechanisms for these changes, the chapter explores four possible reasons for students' improved performance: improved representational fluency, wider repertoire of solution strategies, increased reification of mathematical concepts, and changes in classroom processes. While the general trend of improved achievement appears robust, none of the four hypothesized reasons for improvement were substantiated by enough data to be confirmed. While it appears that the basic effects of graphing calculators are relatively well determined, mechanisms for those effects are poorly understood. Chapter 2 presents the result of a study whose goal was to investigate how the presence of graphing calculator technology influences the mathematical ideas that students encounter while solving algebra problems. Thirty-three Algebra II students, divided randomly into two conditions, participated in task-based interviews. In one condition, students were encouraged to solve algebra problems using their graphing calculator, and in the other condition, students solved the same problems with no access to technology. Results indicate that when students used graphing calculators, they were more likely to interpret letters as variables rather than fixed unknowns, used a wider range of strategies, were more likely to use more than one strategy to solve a problem, and expressed deeper levels of conceptual understanding. The differences in conceptual understanding and interpretation of letters were strongly related to the types of strategies that students used to solve problems, with graphing and tables encouraging more sophisticated interpretations and evidence of conceptual understanding.