I remember how helpful the graphing calculator was when I was in high school, particularly 11th and 12th grades. In 11th grade we learned how to graph sin, cos, and tan functions. I remember having a difficult time remembering how high to put the graph and how to know when one full cycle had occured. My teacher showed us how to do the graphs in the calculator and that was extremely helpful for me. That way I could double check my graphs and be sure that my graph was hitting the correct spots. Also, in 12th grade we graphed polar functions (which to tell you the truth I don't remember much of), but what I do remember is that they were strange and again I had a difficult time graphing them on my own. The graphing calculator was very helpful as I needed to know exactly where the graph would hit and what type of shape it formed.
Before I begin teaching I definitely need to become more proficient on the graphing calculator again. I would love to be able to show my students how to do something on the graphing calculator so that they could visually see how something happens. Many students learn visually, so this would aide to their understanding. Especially during graphing units where the particulars of the graph have to be known, I would show my students how to graph using the calculator as an additional tool to help them master graphing. I still would have them learn to graph on paper, but with the graphing calculator as a guide to getting the graph correct.
1 comment:
Trina, I agree that the graphing calculator really helps students, I know it helped me. I think having visual representations of what the students are doing is very helpful. I also like that you think it is important that students still know how to graphing by hand. I think that too. This year at my placement at Doyle, I did alot with the graphing calculator, but my first lessons were always done with paper and pencil, then I showed them how to use the calculator. But I think it is a great reinforcer.
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