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Larry Osthus NCTM 2010

Using a Computer Algebra System (CAS) to Promote Engagement and Access to Algebra for All Students. Larry Osthus NCTM 2010. Larry Osthus osthus@mathaddsup.com www.mathaddsup.com. Southeast Polk High School Spring 2006. High School graduation requirements were changing

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Larry Osthus NCTM 2010

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  1. Using a Computer Algebra System (CAS) to Promote Engagement and Access to Algebra for All Students Larry Osthus NCTM 2010

  2. Larry Osthusosthus@mathaddsup.com www.mathaddsup.com

  3. Southeast Polk High SchoolSpring 2006 High School graduation requirements were changing School Board voted to require all students to take algebra Remedial math classes were removed from the curriculum

  4. As a teacher............. What thoughts would you have if faced with a similar situation?

  5. NCSM Conference - 2006 Dr. Zalman Usiskin Director University of Chicago School Mathematics Project Presentation: Computer Algebra Systems (CAS)

  6. Dr. Zalman Usiskin • CAS 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

  7. Dr. Zalman Usiskin: • Four types of students (US): • Serious college bound - extender • College bound - stabilizer • Work-force bound - enabler • Low performing student - crutch

  8. Dr. Zalman Usiskin ... “Think about what a crutch is!”

  9. Dr. Zalman Usiskin ... Crutch – “A tool to help you get along until you are strong enough to get along without it.”

  10. My thoughts: “The teachers should try using a CAS program with their new algebra classes!” “But what CAS program should they use?”

  11. CASIO Technology: ClassPad Manager (Computer Software) ClassPad 330 Plus (Calculator)

  12. School District Response: We are ready to try something different!! Ordered a site license for the ClassPad Manager Ordered three classroom sets of ClassPad 330 calculators Participating teachers enrolled in ClassPad 101

  13. Survey results: August November May

  14. District Results: Everyone was excited! Student attitude was positive Teacher attitude was positive Students were exploring, hypothesizing, justifying, and communicating Teachers changed their approach to teaching using “inquiry”

  15. 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

  16. Kent Horstman Mathematics Department Chair Southeast Polk High School

  17. Would I go with CASIO again? YES!

  18. 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

  19. A comparison:

  20. Trina Rogers Southeast Polk High School Mathematics Teacher

  21. 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.

  22. 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

  23. So what did we do?

  24. Larry Osthus osthus@mathaddsup.com www.mathaddsup.comThanks!

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