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What are the purposes for using the handheld in teaching and what are the effects of each type of use?
Effective teaching with graphics calculators can help learners develop a better understanding of mathematical concepts and use higher-level approaches to solving math problems.
A peer-reviewed meta-analysis of 54 of studies with the strongest form of evidence, high-quality experimental and quasi-experimental studies, concluded:
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| • | Learners with graphing technology had better understanding of functions, variables, solving algebra problems in applied contexts, interpreting graphs |
| • | “Learners’ operational skills and problem-solving skills improved” |
 Reference: (Ellington 2003), Virginia Commonwealth University
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| A discussion of current research “best evidence” concluded that learners who have been taught effectively with graphics calculators:
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| • | Use graphs |
| • | Engage in problem solving |
| • | Are more flexible in: |
| • | – choosing solution strategies |
| • | – making conjectures |
| • | – moving among algebraic, numeric and graphical approaches |
| • | – working with real data |
| Reference: (SRI 2008) SRI, Inc., Menlo Park, CA
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| A UK review of 33 papers on ICT (including graphics calculators) in mathematics teaching found:
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| • | Gains in understanding of particular aspects of functions |
| • | Learners reached higher levels of thinking and could explain their thinking better |
| • | Learners do not always know how to use and interpret the technology |
| • | Learning gains from small group work and interaction with the teacher |
| Reference: (Goulding 2008), University of York
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| A review of 10 qualitative studies in France on the integration of graphics calculators in mathematics teaching concluded:
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| • | Graphics calculator environments tend to promote assimilation between a function and its graphical representations, while symbolic calculator environments tend to favour, within the limits of a function, more a point of view resulting from the calculation process. |
| Reference: (Sabra 2008), INRP
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