Against a background of some hostility to calculator use, most of those who volunteer to become teacher researchers on this project are keen supporters of calculator use and do not represent a cross-section of Scottish teachers. It is, therefore, important to take account of the membership of the group in considering the appropriateness of research questions and to guard against drawing biased conclusions from the group's findings. Such a group can however investigate what is possible and how a graphic calculator is best used. In a situation where the research depends on the support of such a group of volunteers, it is important that teachers see some direct gain from taking part. The use of calculators on loan, the provision and sharing of activities and ideas for classroom use and the supportive nature of monthly meetings are all important elements.
Findings apply to individual classrooms and inform the work of the teachers involved.
They also provide pointers and may encourage others to try out things that the group members found successful. Through a combination of group meetings and working together in the classroom, both teachers and researchers, as well as the wider community, can benefit .