Teaching Algebra Comprehension

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that any tool, such as a graphing calculator, which can help students gain an improved mastery of the fundamental skills required to complete algebraic problems, must be viewed as educators as a "Good Thing"; but a consistent theme is the need to keep the material relevant in order to maintain student interest. The author points out that, although students should have the experience of entering the program commands themselves, an alternative approach is for the teacher to write the relevant on one calculator and then distribute it to students' calculators by using their linking capabilities. The paper relates that teachers can adapt the material for use with Texas Instruments (TI), Casio, Hewlett-Packard and Sharp graphing calculators.

From the Paper:

"The use of graphing calculators in a comprehensive algebra curriculum has been advocated by a number of educators. For example, some currently teach their students how to solve and graph linear equations manually, give them a test on it that is worth 50 points where no calculators are allowed during the test, classwork, or homework. Afterwards, they teach students how to solve the same or similar problems using a calculator. Then they give them another test of the same topic as during which problems are to be solved only by using calculators. During chapter tests and exams, students have the freedom to choose whether to use a calculator or not. "

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