9450744 Ward Faculty in the Department of Mathematics at Indian River Community College are developing instructional materials for the use of the graphing calculator to support teaching with the Harvard Calculus Consortium materials that are appropriate for a two year college audience. Materials are being developed for both teachers and students. The teacher supplement contains examples and instructions on how and when to effectively use a graphing calculator as an instructional tool. Less emphasis is placed on traditional lecture and more emphasis is placed on exploration and group problem solving. The material integrates practical applications taken from astronomy and physics and other areas that use mathematics. Students generate real data through the use of a Calculator Base Laboratory System (CBL). The device enables the collection of real time data for analysis with the graphing calculator. The collection and analysis of real data provides the means to integrate practical laboratory experience into pre- calculus and calculus. The instructional materials include the use of the CBL system. The student supplement is designed with an emphasis on using technology to explore mathematical concepts and write about the findings. Projects address four types of activities: (1) "get started" activities to familiarize students with using the calculators; (2) activities to help students understand concepts; (3) projects to promote deeper understanding of concepts that may be used as group projects or for advanced students; and, (4) investigation projects for topics beyond what is discussed in class. This range of activities will benefit the slower student by providing activities for understanding as well as the advanced student by providing enrichment material. The conceptual approach combined with real applications, emphasis on understanding and problem solving benefits all students.
