Reports on how students managed some technical aspects of graphics calculators as they used them to study graphs of straight lines and parabolas. Identifies three common student difficulties: (1) tendency to be unduly influenced by the jagged appearance of graphs; (2) poor understanding of the zoom operation; and (3) limited grasp of the processes…

Reviews recent research into the effectiveness of the graphing calculator as a tool for instruction and learning within precalculus and calculus, specifically in the study of functions, graphing, and modeling. Contends that much research fails to provide clear guidance or informed debate regarding the role of graphing calculators in mathematics…

Uses the visual and programming capabilities of the graphing calculator to discern both differences and similarities between two independent collections of sample data. (MKR)

Combines mathematics, literature, and technology to help students discover exponentials. Includes details of several activities with teaching notes. (MM)

Provides a lesson plan for solving a standard optimization problem using the TI-92 calculator. Screenshots from the calculator are included. (MM)

Provides a collection of calculator-based lessons developed by teachers for use in their daily mathematics lessons. Features whole class teacher-led activities, small group activities, and games. Provides teaching suggestions for the activities and general information about teaching with calculators. Includes a reference to a fuller online…

Some tips that combine knowledge of mathematics history and technology for adapting Ferrar's method to factor quintics with a TI-83 graphing calculator are presented. A demonstration on the use of the root finder and regression capabilities of the graphing calculator are presented, so that the tips can be easily adapted for any graphing calculator…

A combination of graphical thinking with chemical and physical theories in the classroom is encouraged by using the Calculator-Based Laboratory System (CBL) with a temperature sensor and graphing calculator. The theory of first-order kinetics is logically explained with the aid of the cooling or heating of the metal bead of the CBL's temperature…

Placement tests are rapidly joining the ranks of high-stakes testing and college freshmen are required to take mathematics placement exams to determine their first mathematics course upon entering college. Unfortunately, these exams tend to place students in a lower-level or remedial course. As a result, additional expenses are incurred, degree…

This article outlines a linear regression activity that engages learners, uses technology, and fosters cooperation. Students generated least-squares linear regression equations using TI-83 Plus[TM] graphing calculators, Microsoft[C] Excel, and paper-and-pencil calculations using derived normal equations to predict the 2004 presidential election.…

One problem that students have with mathematics is that they often view the topic as a series of unrelated ideas. Sometimes they are aware that they have to know one concept to move to the next, but what is done in geometry is not necessarily related to anything in algebra. This failure to recognize mathematical connections limits students'…

A one year project was started in the school year 2003/04 to test the use of symbolic calculators (SC)--the TIVoyage 200--in six 10th grade classes of three grammar schools in Bavaria (Germany). The project was repeated in school year 2004/05. The evaluation of the project was intended to give answers to the following questions: how basic…

The ultimate goal of high school mathematics teachers is to create a meaningful learning environment that is conducive to teaching students the necessary concepts for academic achievement. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that many secondary educators still teach in a rote lecture style that focuses on the teacher providing information to passive,…

This report summarizes findings on strategies chosen by students (n=38) when solving algebra problems related to various functions with the freedom to use a TI-83 graphing calculator, influences on student problem-solving strategy choices, student ability to approach algebra problems with use of multiple representations, and student beliefs on how…

This study sought to gather empirical evidence of the effectiveness of calculus instruction like that used in the Calculus and Mathematica project by examining and comparing the effects of three different instructional approaches to calculus on students' (n=100) abilities to use and understand connections between numerical, graphical, and symbolic…