ERIC Number: EJ891123
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1744-2710
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Using Symbolic TI Calculators in Engineering Mathematics: Sample Tasks and Reflections from a Decade of Practice
Beaudin, Michel; Picard, Gilles
International Journal for Technology in Mathematics Education, v17 n2 p69-74 2010
Starting in September 1999, new students at ETS were required to own the TI-92 Plus or TI-89 symbolic calculator and since September 2002, the Voyage 200. Looking back at these ten years of working with a computer algebra system on every student's desk, one could ask whether the introduction of this hand-held technology has really forced teachers to reassess their goals in teaching mathematics. For some teachers--in fact, fewer than expected--the answer is "yes". But what has really changed? Although some exam questions are different because students almost always have access to their calculator during tests, the curriculum is essentially the same. The power of computer algebra generally remains underused; it is considered merely a substitute for pencil and paper techniques or a way to illustrate concepts. This paper will give our personal perspective on this ten-year experiment based in part on informal discussions with colleagues as well as positive feedback from students, who have often thanked us for showing them how to use their CAS calculators efficiently. We will give examples of what daily use of computer algebra in the classroom should produce: a better appropriation of (many) mathematical concepts. Computer algebra systems are here to stay. Not using them won't make them disappear. (Contains 16 figures.)
Descriptors: Feedback (Response), Calculators, Mathematical Concepts, Algebra, Mathematics Instruction, Educational Technology, Teaching Methods, Computer Uses in Education, Foreign Countries, Equations (Mathematics)
Research Information Ltd. Grenville Court, Britwell Road, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, SL1 8DF, UK. Tel: +44-1628-600499; Fax: +44-1628-600488; e-mail: info@researchinformation.co.uk; Web site: http://www.researchinformation.co.uk/time.php
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A