Technology Habits Outside of the Calculus Classroom

• In Event: 61.086 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 61.086-2 - Inquiries in Mathematics Education

Abstract

The increasing availability of technology in the mathematics classroom has propelled the investigation of utilizing multiple representations (MR). There is still much to be known about MR and other predictors of calculus problem solving, including how technology use outside of the classroom is associated with these predictors. We administered a technology habits survey to high school pre-calculus and calculus students in order to explore any associations with the following hypothesized predictors of calculus skills: coordinating multiple representations (CMR), spatial abilities, basic graph/table skills, and conceptual understanding. After conducting an exploratory factor analysis on the survey, it was found that higher reported use of graphing calculators on homework is associated with significantly lower scores on both CMR and calculus conceptual understanding.

Authors

• Ryan Scott Hassler, Temple University

• Jennifer G. Cromley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Julie L. Booth, Temple University

• Theodore W. Wills, Temple University

• Thomas Shipley, Temple University

• William Carl Zahner, San Diego State University