A Comparative Study of the Use of Computers in Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Australia, UK and USA
W. David Crowe
w.d.crowe@open.ac.uk
Faculty of Mathematics and Computing
Sub-Dean, Lecturer
Mary Whateley
m.whateley@open.ac.uk
IET Research Assistant
Hosen Zand
IET and Faculty of Mathematics & Computing
Lecturer
Open University
Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, England
Abstract
New technology has revolutionised teaching and learning in almost all branches of knowledge, and perhaps most significantly in mathematics, science, engineering and medicine. In this talk we will present some findings from a research project that we have conducted over the last two years at the Open University, UK. We found substantial human and financial resources dedicated to the application of new technology to update the curriculum, to achieve better educational results and to provide knowledge to a wider audience (many of whom will spend most of their lives in the increasingly technological world of the 21st century). We also found reservations among some academics about the educational effectiveness of using new technology and its possible side-effects on human societies. Although we focused on the applications of computer technology in teaching and learning mathematics, our findings are to a large degree extendable to other disciplines . We have visited 25 universities so far in the UK, USA and Australia, and have interviewed over 100 faculty members and students about their experience of teaching and learning mathematics using computer algebra systems. We will offer examples of how new technology has led to a continuing updating of the curriculum and how it has transformed the teaching and learning of mathematics in the UK, USA and Australia. There are a number of areas where further research and development is needed in these countries, as indeed was pointed out by various researchers, such as more in-depth evaluation of courseware, more organised research and development of educational software, paying particular attention to educational and philosophical questions etc. In our talk we will discuss some of the possible areas for current and future research in the UK, USA and Australia.
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