Presented by: Matt Miehl


What are graphing calculators?

Graphing calculators are advanced calculators that allow users to graph equations in addition to performing the calculation functions of scientific calculators.

Graphing calculators are most helpful in upper level math classes such as trigonometry and calculus, but are also valuable for advanced science courses. Students in middle school also benefit from learning the operations of graphing calculators and an early introduction to this technology can be invaluable. Many public schools provide graphing calculators for student use, but it is often more convenient to purchase one since it will be useful throughout high school and college.

The most prominent feature of a graphing calculator is its LCD screen. This allows the calculator to display graphs, but also serves as a screen for all other functions. This lets the user track calculations and find potential errors better than other calculators because all of the numbers and symbols that have been entered by the user can be seen on the screen.


How do graphing calculators work?

Graphing calculators allow the user to type in any equation and see it graphed on an x-y axis. Several equations may be entered and graphed simultaneously. The user is able to set the size of the graph and zoom in and out to expand it beyond the limits of a piece of graph paper. A graphing calculator also allows the user to graph equations that are too difficult and time consuming to produce by hand.

With a special screen attachment and an overhead projector, a teacher can display his or her screen to an entire class. This gives the graphing calculator a distinct advantage over other types of calculators when used to explain new operations to students.

A graphing calculator usually can be connected to another calculator or a computer to transfer data, such as programs and equations. Unlike other calculators, a graphing calculator has memory that allows it to store these programs and equations.





Why use graphing calculators?

Graphing calculators help students understand problems and discover mathematical concepts on their own. Students can instantly check the soundness of their answers, test out their own hypotheses, and explore different ways of solving problems.

Graphing calculators are tools for computations and manipulations that were once done with paper and pencil. The correct use of technology and related skills will get more students to develop new math concepts.

Even before a teacher presents new material, graphing calculators allow topics to be discovered by students on their own. Through the use of programs and applications installed on the graphing calculators, students can be introduced to new information.

Graphing calculators improve communication among students, and they allow students a faster and easy way to be more efficient, accurate method than drawing graphs by paper and pencil alone.

Each generation of graphing calculators is becoming more powerful and useful; yet they are not getting more difficult to utilize. Graphing calculators reduce the amount of time required to solve problems and learn basic skills. Fresh applications are being discovered and students who were previously turned off by boring calculation may now be inspired to explore the richness of math.


How are teachers using graphing calculators?

Teachers are using graphing calculators to train students to use new technology. Graphing calculators give relevance to the material that students study. Calculators also allow students to explore functions, view 2D and 3D objects, and analyze statistical data. Teachers able to integrate calculators by designing lessons that require calculator analysis.


Links
Texas Instruments
Casio
Hewlett-Packard
Coolmath
Hotmath
Wikipedia



References

Doerr, H. M., & Zangor, R. (2000). Creating meaning for and with the graphing calculator. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 41, 143-163.

Ellington, A. J. (2003). A meta-analysis of the effects of calculators on students' achievement and attitude levels in precollege mathematics classes . Journal for Research in Mathematics Education. 34, 433-463

Kastberg, S., & Leatham, K. (2005). Research on graphing calculators at the secondary level: Implications for mathematics teacher education. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 5(1), 25-37.

Simmt, E. (1997). Graphing calculators in high school mathematics. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 16, 269-289.

Smith, J. P. (1998).Graphing calculators in the mathematics classroom. Clearinghouse for Science Mathematics and Environmental Education.