<< The WAMATYC conference was also this last weekend, 212 participants seems
to ring a bell. One of the topics discussed was the extent to which
graphing technology should be integrated into intermediate algebra. The
panel that discussed the issue seemed comfortable with graphing
calculators in calculus and pre-calculus but questionable in
intermediate. What do you all think? >>
I think that they should be used in Intermediate Algebra for *demonstrations
and simulation* purposes only. Actually letting the students use them at
this point in their young math careers will cause them to become too
dependent. They students really need to learn to do stuff by hand first.
I think the calculators should be first introduced to the students (for use
on exams and homework) in some of the freshman level courses: Pre-calc,
business calc, stats, etc.
I teach a pre-calc course using the TI-85....... but I test my students with
and WITHOUT their calculators! My students have told me that if I hadn't
done this (ie tested them without), they would have become addicted to the
calculator and wouldn't have learned to do the stuff themselves.
Karen
Orange Coast College
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