Introducing maple to elementary teachers of mathematics

Almost all major education reforms in mathematics education have requested the preservice or in-service mathematics teachers to be able to apply information technology for deepening the students’ understanding of the subject contents, as well as developing the generic skills in learning, such as inquiry, problem solving and communication skills, etc. Accordingly, there are increasingly more elementary teachers using calculators, dynamic geometry software or spreadsheet in the classrooms. However, the use of computer algebra systems at elementary teaching level is still very limited. Among some possible reasons behind, the lack of exposure of this kind of software to the elementary teachers should be taken into account. In this paper, we describe how to introduce the basics of Maple V in a local teacher training programme and demonstrate how to use it in mathematics lessons for inquiry, visualization or problem-solving. Sharing of teaching experience and views from the student teachers are also included. Copyright © 2005 International Conference on Applications of Computer Algebra.