I think it is important that we use technology in the classroom because we
can get across mathematical concepts that we never could by mathematical
manipulation. I think there is a balance. Right now I am piloting a
new textbook in a developmental algebra course. (I have galley sheets but
next year it will be in hardback.) I believe the authors have the right
idea. They have what are called discovery exercises. The student is given
a series of problems such as problems with negative exponents and are asked
to calculate the answers using the calculator. They are then asked to look
for a pattern and write a rule for negative exponents. The students seem to
enjoy the book because they 'own' the rules a little more than if I just
told them. (It seems to me a lot of integrated technology books are just
try to teach students when to use the calculator (for big numbers) and when
not too.)
Thanks for listening to my rambling....
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