The effect of computer algebra systems in the teaching of function concept

Mathematics is one of the most important subjects that students are required to learn in school. Mathematics is a human activity therefore students should also be part of it. Instead of memorizing independent set of rules, students can construct mathematical concepts and relations (theorems) by doing mathematics in a social setting with computer algebra system?s. In order to apply these learning model in real ? life, teaching environments and methods on these learning approaches have been developed in a teacher training course. In this study, two learning approaches, which have been seen as suitable and applicable in preservice teacher?s mathematics education, ?constructivist learning? and ?Constructivist learning + CAS? approaches, are described and compared. 30 freshmen students from Primary Mathematics Education Department of Kastamonu Faculty of Education of Kastamonu University was chosen as research group. This research group divided into two groups whose attitudes towards mathematics are equivalent. One of these groups had been took the calculus course in a constructivist environment. The other group had been took that course also in constructivist environment by using CAS (Maple). vii Afterwards, two course post-tests and post-attitude scale had been applied to the groups. The quantitative data was analyzed by using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Briefly, the following results had been determined by the support of some qualitative data. Although the CAS + constructivist group?s general achievement is slightly higher then the other group, this difference is not statistically significant. 1. It is determined that CAS + constructivist group?s problem solving level is significantly higher then the other group. (p = .021 < .05) 2. It is also determined that CAS + constructivist support is significantly effective on attitudes towards mathematics ( p = .047 < .05). The another question of the study was to investigate how CAS + constructivist mathematics course affected the ideas of prospective teachers as a result of their experiences within that enviroment. The study showed that participants were; ? including to devolepe new ways and strategies for mathematics teaching; and ? gaining new perspectives on learning as learners. Key Concepts: Computer Algebra Systems, Function Concept, Computational Skill, Conceptual Understanding, Problem Solving.