An Article Review by Lari Garrison
Warren Township High School
It is often a concern of mathematics teachers that
should students learn how to find solutions to equations and inequalities
using technology before they have learned how to do so analytically, the
motivation for students to learn this process will vanish. This study by
Michal Yerushalmy and Shoshana Gilead demonstrates how the use of technology
actually inspired the students to want to learn the analytical methods of
solving equations and inequalities. Students had a better understanding
of the analytical processes; and in turn, the processes were more meaningful
to the students. The technology was a motivation; however, this curriculum
would not have been as successful if students had not been "asked .
. . to invent procedures . . . by looking at a variety of examples, conjecturing
and justifying them using symbolic manipulations when available."
This article presents a case for the integration of technology based upon
the authors' actual years of experience using various methods of presentation
and assessment of the results of these various methods. It actually demonstrates
students' problem-solving evolution when technology is applied in this instructional
process.