This study intends to provide adequate suggestions on use of engineering tool adequate and effective in quadratic equation teaching situation by identifying the influences of quadratic equation teaching utilizing CAS calculator on middle school studen...
This study intends to provide adequate suggestions on use of engineering tool adequate and effective in quadratic equation teaching situation by identifying the influences of quadratic equation teaching utilizing CAS calculator on middle school students contrary to the conventional teaching method, for the students who have difficulty in understanding of quadratic equation. I selected the following study questions for this purpose.
1. How about the students' understanding degree of quadratic equation when inquiry activities are applied using CAS calculator?
2. What are the features of learning process appeared in quadratic equation teaching using CAS calculator?
To answer these questions, I selected 3 students of the third grade students of middle school who had difficulty in understanding quadratic equations and implemented the 5th experimental study using CAS calculator. The activity sheet used in experimental study was reorganized to utilize CAS calculator in part of quadratic equations of middle school mathematics 9-Ga step, excluding application area. I ran pre-test and post-test before and after experimental study with paper and pens and could acquire the following results on study questions by analyzing pre-interview and post-interview, activity sheet and commentary written in class by students, activity material of CAS calculator students used, and video-recording of teaching scene.
First, the use of CAS calculator helped students to enhance understanding of quadratic equations and the explanation. Students could understand the meaning of the roots of a quadratic equation using ‘|’, substitution symbol and ‘judge’, instruction of CAS calculator. They used CAS calculator as a white box and understood the procedure of explanation of a quadratic equation, and especially in Assistant Mode, they could understand the concept and procedure of explanation method using perfect square expression, through the activity to solve the explanation method for a quadratic equation step by step in detail which students had most difficulty in solving, observe the process and adjust it on activity sheet. Therefore, use of CAS calculator had a positive effect on understanding development of students by improving their discernment in algebra operations and concept and helping them understand the mathematical concept behind the procedure.
Second, students could reflect their thinking process through immediate feedback when using CAS calculator and search for the process of explanation of quadratic equations while making attempts, since they could concentrate on equivalent transformation without fear of incorrect calculation.
Third, they did enough solving activities of quadratic equations step by step using CAS calculator as a white box, identified the detailed results appeared in applying transformation in Assistant Mode and arranged them on activity sheet. Therefore, they could write down explanation process in detail without omitting the process and presenting only the answer when solving the quadratic equations. Also, their ability to present explanation process and answer, that is, expression skill has much improved.
Fourth, when using CAS calculator we often have Syntax errors, which cause mathematical communication. I could have the opportunity to identify and correct the error in course of solving the problems by searching for various kinds of signal expression method of CAS through the mathematical communication on causes of and solutions to reduce errors and understanding exactly the concept related to the explanation of quadratic equations.
Fifth, CAS calculator allowed students to actively participate in class by motivating interest and increasing self-confidence through their own operation and activities. Students who used CAS calculator could trust their own activities with it and understand easily, which resulted in confidence in mathematics.