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Using a Computer Algebra System (CAS) to Promote Engagement and Access to Algebra for All Students Larry Osthus NCTM 2010
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Using a Computer Algebra System (CAS) to Promote
Engagement and Access to Algebra for All Students
Larry Osthus
NCTM 2010
Larry [email protected]
Southeast Polk High School
Spring 2006
High School graduation requirements were changingSchool Board voted to require all students to take algebraRemedial math classes were removed from the curriculum
As a teacher.............
What thoughts would you have if faced with a similar situation?
Dr. Zalman UsiskinDirector University of Chicago School Mathematics Project
Presentation: Computer Algebra Systems (CAS)
NCSM Conference - 2006
Dr. Zalman UsiskinCAS makes algebra comprehensible
CAS is at least as valuable to the poorest of
algebra students as it is to the best
CAS enables students to work with symbolic
manipulation that the curriculum has
avoided because of its difficulty
Dr. Zalman Usiskin:
Four types of students (US):
Serious college bound - extender
College bound - stabilizer
Work-force bound - enabler
Low performing student - crutch
Dr. Zalman Usiskin ...
“Think about what a crutch is!”
Dr. Zalman Usiskin ...
Crutch – “A tool to help you get along until you are strong enough to get along without it.”
My thoughts:
“The teachers should try using a CAS program with their new algebra classes!”
“But what CAS program should they use?”
CASIO Technology:
ClassPad Manager(Computer Software)
ClassPad 330 Plus(Calculator)
School District Response:
We are ready to try something different!!Ordered a site license for the ClassPad ManagerOrdered three classroom sets of ClassPad 330 calculatorsParticipating teachers enrolled in ClassPad 101
Survey results:
AugustNovemberMay
District Results:
Everyone was excited!Student attitude was positiveTeacher attitude was positiveStudents were exploring, hypothesizing, justifying, and communicatingTeachers changed their approach to teaching using “inquiry”
Student Achievement
75% of the students did better than or the same as they did in their previous math course – general math
88% of the students passed their course – Pre Algebra or Algebra I
Kent Horstman
Mathematics Department ChairSoutheast Polk High School
Would I go with CASIO again?
YES!
Why CASIO ClassPad?
Does not have an intimidating interface
Intuitive mouse/stylus-based operation – easy to learn and easy to use
ClassPad Manager site license is cheap!
ClassPad 330’s are affordable – places technology in students’ hands
Multitude of applications
A comparison:
Trina RogersSoutheast Polk High School
Mathematics Teacher
Students need to learn that doing math may be hard at times, but it is worth the
struggle.
To get to this point, they first need to
know how it feels to be successful.
What factors led to success?
• Me!• The Teachers!• Administrative support• CASIO Technology• Technology in the hands of the students• Weekly meetings• Staff development and/or graduate credit
So what did we do?
