Using a graphics calculator in data analysis, probability and discrete mathematics

Barry Kissane
School of Education
Murdoch University
kissane@murdoch.edu.au

Abstract

The prime purpose of this workshop is to highlight the ways in which graphics calculators can be used to help students learn mathematics and undertake mathematical activity. A secondary purpose is to help participants evaluate the very considerable implications of personal technology of this kind for their curriculum and their teaching practices. While most of the workshop focus will be on the mathematics curriculum of the senior secondary school, many of the ideas and examples will be relevant to the early undergraduate years and also to the junior secondary school. The workshop will make extensive use of the Casio cfx-9850 graphics calculator, a powerful modern example of graphics calculator technology. No prior experience with this calculator is expected. There is not time in a single workshop to focus on all of the many opportunities provided by this technology. Instead, attention will focus on dealing with elementary ideas in data analysis, probability simulation, automatic data collection, sequences and series. Although the capacity of a graphics calculator to draw graphs is a useful attribute, attention will not be restricted to the graphical, since many other aspects of graphics calculator design have powerful educational implications. The workshop will be designed around practical hands-on activities, for which all participants will have access to a Casio cfx-9850 calculator.

Barry Kissane has extensive experience with this technology, and has been involved in curriculum development, professional development and publications related to graphics calculators in Australia, the USA, Indonesia and elsewhere.

Workshops