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 Osthusosthus@mathaddsup.comwww.mathaddsup.com

Southeast Polk High School

Spring 2006

High School graduation requirements were changingSchool Board voted to require all students to take algebraRemedial math classes were removed from the curriculum

As a teacher.............

What thoughts would you have if faced with a similar situation?

Dr. Zalman UsiskinDirector University of Chicago School Mathematics Project

Presentation: Computer Algebra Systems (CAS)

NCSM Conference - 2006

Dr. Zalman UsiskinCAS 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

Dr. Zalman Usiskin:

Four types of students (US):

Serious college bound - extender

College bound - stabilizer

Work-force bound - enabler

Low performing student - crutch

Dr. Zalman Usiskin ...

“Think about what a crutch is!”

Dr. Zalman Usiskin ...

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

My thoughts:

“The teachers should try using a CAS program with their new algebra classes!”

“But what CAS program should they use?”

CASIO Technology:

ClassPad Manager(Computer Software)

ClassPad 330 Plus(Calculator)

School District Response:

We are ready to try something different!!Ordered a site license for the ClassPad ManagerOrdered three classroom sets of ClassPad 330 calculatorsParticipating teachers enrolled in ClassPad 101

Survey results:

AugustNovemberMay

District Results:

Everyone was excited!Student attitude was positiveTeacher attitude was positiveStudents were exploring, hypothesizing, justifying, and communicatingTeachers changed their approach to teaching using “inquiry”

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

Kent Horstman

Mathematics Department ChairSoutheast Polk High School

Would I go with CASIO again?

YES!

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

A comparison:

Trina RogersSoutheast Polk High School

Mathematics Teacher

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.

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

So what did we do?

Larry Osthus

osthus@mathaddsup.comwww.mathaddsup.com

Thanks!