The development of calculator booklet and its effect on teachers' attitudes towards calculator use in math classes (Grades6-12)

النوع : Mémoire

The purposes of this study are: 1) to develop a calculator activity booklet with two objectives: a) to inform mathematics teachers of the importance of using the calculator in their math classes, and b) to familiarize mathematics teachers with when and how it is appropriate to use this technology; and 2) to try to change mathematics teachers’ attitudes towards the use of the calculator by their students in the classroom. The subjects were 38 intermediate and secondary teachers (11 males and 27 females) from 15 different schools, in the Beirut area, Kafarshima, Bshamoun, Aley, Barja, and Saida. The instruments and materials used were: 1) a pre-questionnaire adapted from Fleener (1995); 2) two pre-planned calculator activity booklets prepared by the author, one for the grades 6 to 9 and the other for the secondary level (10 to 12); 3) a post-questionnaire; 4) a brochure with convincing reasons; and 5) 35 Casio 95MS scientific calculators. Findings: 1) Some teachers have misconceptions towards calculator usage in the mathematics class. 2) Exposure of teachers to the treatment improved significantly their attitudes towards the scientific calculator. 3) Teachers, regardless of their position, found in the activity booklets many new and helpful ideas of when, and how to use the calculator. 4) It is easy to change teachers’ attitudes if these attitudes are not based on solid ground.