ERIC Number: ED510595
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jun-28
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
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Integrating Calculators in the Secondary Mathematics Classroom: Teachers' Attitudes and Perspectives
Mason, Andrea
Online Submission
The purpose of this study was to analyze secondary mathematics teachers' experiences, attitudes, beliefs, and practices in teaching and learning mathematics using the calculator. The study also focused on the role of the calculator in the mathematics classroom. A high number of students lack simple math skills and many use the calculator at all times. This led to the question, is the calculator a substitute for learning and authentic understanding? Data was collected through questionnaires, observations, and interviews. Results show that (1) teachers believe students can successfully learn mathematics using calculators, however (2) teachers believe that the calculator can contribute to a lack of mathematical understanding and threaten basic skill development and (3) the role and use of the calculator in the middle and high school differ significantly. These results demonstrate that integrating the calculator in the secondary mathematics classroom is a complicated, deliberated task and teachers need to be prepared to do so with as much support and knowledge as possible. Three appendixes are included: (1) Teacher Questionnaire Part II; (2) Teacher Interview Questions; and (3) Calculator Terms. (Contains 6 tables and 6 figures.)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education
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Language: English
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