Re: [MATHEDCC] Graph paper

Sandy Spears (sspears@pop.jcc.uky.edu)
Mon, 2 Mar 1998 16:53:30 -0500

The Old Pro wrote:
>
>At the high school where I teach
>Algebra and Geometry, our schools provide
>graphic calculators only for the "higher level" classes.
>
...
>
>
>I guess I'm old fashioned and slow to change; in Algebra-I and also in
>Pre-Algebra, I require the students to:
>
>(1) start with some equation which I provide
>(2) develop an x-y data table of "values"
>(3) choose 8-10 "x-values" with 4 or 5 negative x's.
>(4) manually plot the 8 or 10 points from the data table
>(5) connect the points to get a straight line or
> a parabola
>(6) then, make some conjectures about the equation
>and try to see if or how the equation gives any hints
>about what the shape and/or the location of the function
>will be.
>
>I believe that it's still
>OK for today's students to begin to "feel" and to "see"
>how certain equations give certain plots, and to
>be able to construct/draw the graphs independent of the
>graphic calculator.
>
...
>The question I have for readers of this list; do you
>think it's OK for students to use Graphic Calculators
>while they are in high school???
>
I wish all high school teachers used some of your approach! Graphing
Calculators are great but they have their place just like paper/pencil has
its place. There are times when the calculator should be put away and the
student needs to "feel" what's going on. Otherwise the calculator is a
magic black box. I think graphing calculators should be used in high school
but APPROPRIATELY. That seems to be the key. Too many teachers use them
(and scientific calculators) indiscriminantly. For that reason, calculators
get a bad name and get accused of being the reason our students don't know
anything.

Sandy Spears
Jefferson Community College
Louisville, KY 40202
sspears@pop.jcc.uky.edu
502-584-0181, ext. 2269

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