L. Carl Leinbach is Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at
Gettysburg College. He is a member of the Board of Editors of the
International DERIVE Journal, the software reviews editor of the College
Mathematics Journal and a member of the Materials Development Team for
TI/Calc Workshops on Using the TI-92 in teaching calculus. He has over a
dozen publications on using technology to teach mathematics.
Abstract: Mathematical Literacy is a term whose definition is dictated by the mathematical needs of society and the tools that are available to assist in doing mathematics. Given this volatile term and the goal that students leaving secondary school be mathematically literate, what strategies should we use to prepare our students for life after secondary school? The presence of technology provides our students with the opportunity to tackle problems that may have been well beyond their grasp in previous times.
In this presentation, I will consider three detailed examples of how technology, in particular a Computer Algebra System like DERIVE, can be used to assist students and expand their capabilities to do meaningful problem solving and mathematical analysis.