From the early nineties, most reformed curricula at upper secondary level choose to give functions a major position and a priority over rational expressions and equations of traditional algebra. The goal of this paper is to introduce key challenges resulting from this choice and to discuss the contribution that software environments associating…

The availability of sophisticated computer programs such as "Wolfram Alpha" has made many problems found in the secondary mathematics curriculum somewhat obsolete for they can be easily solved by the software. Against this background, an interplay between the power of a modern tool of technology and educational constraints it presents is…

Dynamic geometry software (DGS), such as Geometer's Sketchpad[TM], Cabri Geometry[TM], and GeoGebra[TM] has become a widely used classroom technology. The broad availability of DGS has given students the opportunity to engage in many aspects of reasoning and proof, including exploration, conjecture development, and proof, in its many roles. By…

Formal requests were recently introduced for integration of ICT in secondary school mathematics. As the main issue, students must develop competence to decide when and how it is appropriate to use available ICT tools and to use them. These new requests put demands on those teachers who have not developed corresponding competencies themselves.…

This article shows how Microsoft Excel's ability to vary parameters with sliders allows students to "stand on the shoulders of giants" and discover characteristics of polynomial functions.

Presented are two problems that can be solved using a computer simulation by students who have completed Algebra II. The distance and bisector formulas and the various forms of the equations of a circle and straight line are the topics. Computer program listings are included. (MNS)

This article discusses the impact of symbolic-manipulation systems on secondary school mathematics curriculum. Characteristics and possible roles for the symbolic systems are explored. Four references are listed. (YP)

Suggests computer graphing as a topic for computer programing. Reviews Apple II computer graphics information and gives suggestions for writing the programs. Presents equations to help place information onto the screen with proper coordinates. (MVL)

Illustrates how muMATH can be used for manipulating abstract differentiation rules, optimization, implicit differentiation, related rules, and verifying the chain rule. (MVL)

Explains graphing functions when using LOTUS 1-2-3. Provides examples and explains keystroke entries needed to make the graphs. Notes up to six functions can be displayed on the same set of axes. (MVL)

Recent research has demonstrated the promise of graphing software as an aid to teaching graphs in two content areas: line graphs of aspects of motion and graphs of algebraic functions. This study attempted to generalize the idea of computer-assisted graphing to include the use of several kinds of graphs to solve a wider range of problems. A unit…

Described is a computer algebra system that can be used to help students understand the calculus. Provides several examples of solving calculus problems using muMATH. Lists eight references. (YP)