Graphing calculators and mathematics education in developing countries

Pedro Gómez[1]

By permitting students to experiment with "new" forms of learning and "seeing" mathematics, graphing calculators affect the learning process and, as a consequence, can put pressure on teachers and curriculum developers concerning the teaching process. In this way, when adequate conditions are given, this new technology can reinforce the change process that is taking place in the teaching and learning in some areas of mathematics. Nevertheless, in developing countries the necessary conditions to create this dynamic relationship between curriculum and the new technology does not necessarily exist. Therefore the use of calculators present a series of risks and opportunities. The effect that they can have on student behavior and, consequently, on the reflections that teachers make on their own practice, can be used in those countries as a means to initiate and consolidate a process of change through curricular innovation and teacher preparation. Developed countries and the international community can make important contributions in that sense.

Pedro Gómez

There is a PDF file available for this paper.

Gómez, P. & Waits, B. (Eds.) (1996). Roles of calculators in the classroom.

Mail comments to Pedro Gómez: pgomez@uniandes.edu.co