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Title

Examining the didactic contract when handheld technology is permitted in the mathematics classroom 

Alternate Title

ZDM special issue on handhelds in math education 

Year

2010

Publisher

ZDM 

Author

Pierce, R., K. Stacey, et al. 

Language

French

Institution

Springer 

Department

 

City

Munich 

Abstract

The use of mathematics analysis software (MAS) including handheld scientific and graphics calculators offers a range of pedagogical opportunities. Its use can support change in the didactic contract. MAS may become an alternative source of authority in the classroom empowering students to explore variation and regularity, manipulate simulations and link representations. Strategic use may support students to direct their own learning and explore mathematics, equipping them to share their findings with the teacher and the class with more confidence. This paper offers a framework for examining the impact of the use of MAS on the didactic contract. Lessons were observed in 12 grade 10 classes, with 12 different teachers new to MAS. MAS technology was used with a variety of didactic contracts, mostly traditional. The framework drew attention to many ways in which the teaching differed. Analysis of the didactic contract must consider both the teaching of mathematics and of technology skills, because these have different characteristics. In all classes, both teachers and students saw the teacher as having a responsibility to teach technology skills. Students saw technology skills as the main point of the lesson, but the teachers saw the lesson as primarily teaching mathematics—one of the mismatches which may need negotiation to adapt didactic contracts to teaching with MAS.

Reference

Journal article

Keywords

TI-Nspire 

Document Content

Pierce, R., K. Stacey, et al. (2010). "Examining the didactic contract when handheld technology is permitted in the mathematics classroom." ZDM 42(7): 683-695.
Attachments
Created at 11/4/2010 12:37 PM  by SP017\rfoshay 
Last modified at 11/4/2010 12:37 PM  by SP017\rfoshay