"...mathematics teachers must redesign their curriculum and instruction to help students learn about the technology they will use to learn mathematics" -Margaret L. Neiss, Learning & Leading with Technology V.32 N.5.
This sentiment seems to be echoed throughout the teaching profession as a call for an increase in the use of technology as a teaching tool and as a goal for student proficiency. As a student who always loved math, but didn't always fully understand the concepts, using technologies like spreadsheets or statical analysis software seems to be a bridge from being able to "do" a problem to really understanding how the math really works. I believe this because since my last high school math class I have continued to teach myself about algebra and statistics using Excel and Stata by using these programs to solve problems in my colligate and professional careers. I remember writing my first spreadsheet for predicting product usage rates and inventory order time frames; there are few greater accomplishments than being able to accurately predict the future using math and a simple computer program. Teaching kids the practical uses of algebra and statistics through spreadsheet construction and operation will give them a feeling of real accomplishment, and peak their interests going into higher mathematics.
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