Attention to equity in the mathematics education field has been growing in recent years. We have evidence that many novice secondary mathematics teachers do not feel prepared to teach in regards to diverse populations. We need to know more about how secondary preservice mathematics teachers (PSMTs) conceptualize equitable environments. This study…

In this technology-oriented age, teachers face daily decisions regarding the use of advanced digital technologies--graphing calculators, dynamic geometry software, blogs, wikis, podcasts and the like--to enhance student mathematical understanding in their classrooms. In this case study, the authors use the Technological, Pedagogical, and Content…

This study examines graphing calculator technology availability, characteristics of teachers who use it, teacher attitudes, and how use reflects changes to algebra curriculum and instructional practices. Algebra I and Algebra II teachers in 75 high school and junior high/middle schools in a diverse region of a northwestern state were surveyed.…

This study investigated K-12 teachers' beliefs and reported teaching practices regarding calculator use in their mathematics instruction. A survey was administered to more than 800 elementary, middle and high school teachers in a large metropolitan area to address the following questions: (a) what are the beliefs and practices of mathematics…

Five calculator activities are described that are designed to explore ordered operations. Suggestions are given on mathematical objectives, strategies for solving, and possible extensions or follow-up activities. (MP)

Several examples are given to show that the calculator can be a tool to enhance mathematical understanding. Expressing rational numbers (fractions) as decimals provides the content focus. (MNS)

Geometry and a hand-held calculator are used to find a value of pi accurate to five decimal places. (CP)

The authors propose that electronic calculators can be perceived as function generators rather than mere computational aids and can be used to investigate function concepts such as domain, range, composition, inverse, correspondence and so on. (MN)

Surveys of (n=80) elementary school principals assessing the nature and extent of technology use in elementary mathematics and science found that teachers used microcomputers more in mathematics than in science, and microcomputer and calculator use was more common in intermediate grades than in primary grades. (28 references) (Author/MKR)

A collection of calculator activities designed for lower level mathematics students is presented. The calculator is viewed as a tool to provide unmotivated or unskilled pupils with the opportunity to explore mathematical ideas successfully. (MP)

Use of calculators for teaching percent to first-year general mathematics students is explained by addressing such areas as sequence of lessons, teaching/learning problems, calculator errors, and recommended instructional strategies. Teaching concepts independent of calculator usage, not using special percentage keys, and initiating estimation as…

Discusses three methods to teach the order of operations to middle school students: (1) asking students to fill in operations in a statement to obtain a given answer; (2) using mnemonics to remember operation order; and (3) having students discover the logic system used by their calculators. (MDH)

Forty-two studies comparing students with access to graphing calculators during instruction to students who did not have access to graphing calculators during instruction are the subject of this meta-analysis. The results on the achievement and attitude levels of students are presented. The studies evaluated cover middle and high school…

Illustrated is the problem of solving equations and some different strategies students might employ when using available technology. Gives illustrations for: exact solutions, approximate solutions, and approximate solutions which are graphically generated. (RT)

Explores the role that symbolic-graphical calculators can play in the current calls for reform in the mathematics curriculum. Discusses symbolic calculators and graphing calculators in relation to problem solving, computational skills, and mathematics instruction. (MDH)