Integrating Calculator Technology in an Elementary and Middle School Preservice Teacher Program: A Personal Journey

Abstract

Faced with a group of preservice teachers who had very little training in calculator or technology use in a department wheretechnology had not been a primary focus in mathematics or teacher training, the author implemented the continual use of the Texas Instruments 73 calculator for all elementary and middle school preservice teacher education mathematics courses. After someinitial problems and disagreement, the preservice teachers became extremely proficient in the use of the calculator, not only for personal use but also for use in the classroom.