Electronic Proceedings of the 12^th Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics

Abstract for 12789

Engaging grade 7 and 8 students in using Cabri 3D: approaches to

instrumental genesis

Authors: Kate Mackrell

Affiliations: Cabrilog

Keywords:

This paper reports on ongoing design research with grade 7 and 8

students in an Ontario school where tasks, materials and approaches

are being created to enable students to essentially treat Cabri 3D

as a microworld, using mathematically mediating tools to pursue

their own goals, such as exploring polyhedral or building houses and

animated figures. The focus will be on the means by which students

have been enabled to gain familiarity with the software. A variety

of materials and approaches have been trialed and it has been found

that both Flash demos and pre-constructed files to replay are

perceived by students to be effective in facilitating their use of

the software. Questions arise, however, as to whether these

materials provide the optimum scaffolding to enable students to move

forward or whether too much is provided and hence opportunities for

student creativity and challenge are restricted