Barry Kissane describes a statistical modelling activity using a graphics calculator. Senior secondary students can explore Bureau of Meteorology data to determine whether the number of years with record breaking temperatures are more than expected--a sort of global warming null hypothesis.

When teaching transformations of functions, teachers typically have students vary the coefficients of equations and examine the resulting changes in the graph. This approach, however, may lead students to memorise rules related to transformations. Students need opportunities to think deeply about transformations beyond superficial observations…

The senior school Mathematics syllabus is often restricted to the study of single variable differential equations of the first order. Unfortunately most real life examples do not follow such types of relations. In addition, very few differential equations in real life have exact solutions that can be expressed in finite terms. Even if the solution…

Graphing utilities, such as the ubiquitous graphing calculator, are often used in finding the approximate real roots of polynomial equations. In this paper the author offers a simple graphing technique that allows one to find all solutions of a polynomial equation (1) of arbitrary degree; (2) with real or complex coefficients; and (3) possessing…

Calculus at the secondary school level has traditionally represented the peak of school mathematics in Australia, and has been available only to the most capable students. Until recently, many calculus curricula have focused on developing standard techniques, such as those concerned with differentiation and integration, with an emphasis on…

For mathematics teachers who are continually looking for ways in which to engage their students in the learning process, the capabilities offered by technology answer the call. Whether the technology comprises computer based applications or graphics calculators, often boring aspects can be bypassed so that students can work on the "good…

This paper presents the conceptualisation of infinity as a multi-faceted concept, discussing two examples. The first is from history and illustrates the work of Euler, when using infinity in an algebraic context. The second sketches an activity in a school context, namely students who approach the definite integral with symbolic-graphic…

Describes students' written answers that seemed technology-assisted in the 1999 Calculus Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE). Illustrates how in the 1999 Calculus TEE some students used their calculators in flexible ways. (ASK)

Describes an inquiry into students' uses of graphics calculators in the Tertiary Entrance Examination of Calculus in Western Australia for 1998. Discusses a comparative analysis of boys' and girls' performances. Indicates that the main areas of difficulty for students are interpreting graphing calculator outputs and knowing when use of graphing…

This article describes a classroom activity in which a solar eclipse is simulated and a mathematical model is developed to explain the data. Students use manipulative devices and graphing calculators to carry out the experiment and then compare their results to those collected in Koolymilka, Australia, during the 2002 eclipse.

The increasing availability of computer algebra systems (CAS) for the high school classroom is expected to have a significant effect on how algebra is taught, when it is taught, and the expected learning types. This paper reports on a computer algebra approach to the teaching of algebra to 13-16 year old students in a high school in Melbourne,…

This paper reports on a mathematics course in an Austrian high school that focuses on probability distributions. Students in this course used a TI-92 during math classes, at home for doing exercises, and during math tests. The TI-92 was used as a tool for calculations and illustrations making the concepts of probability distributions easy to…

In his recent article in this journal, John Gough (2004) concludes that the practical results of the considerable academic research undertaken at the University of Melbourne into the uses and impacts of graphics calculators and CAS (computer algebra systems) should be made more widely available in journals for teachers. This short article is…

This paper provides a pragmatic view of efficient use of graphics calculators. Efficiency is described in terms of quick and easy calculation, as debated and evidenced in a Year 12 calculus class. Students' methods of calculation are analysed in terms of the algebraic understanding and technical skills that underpinned them. Patterns in students'…

Presents a program in the United Kingdom that trains every serving teacher and trainee teacher how to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to teach their subjects more effectively. Discusses mathematics education related to this part of the program. (ASK)