The attitude study included an eight-year longitudinal attitude study as well as a calculator survey developed specifically for this study with data collected each semester. Within the Department of Mathematical Sciences, instructors teach in small sections, follow a common syllabus, use the same text and administer common projects and exams. Course faculty participated in several TI-89 faculty development sessions prior to and during each semester. Faculty received The TI-89 in Discrete Dynamical Systems and Calculus, a resource document written by Mary Ann Connors under an Academy technology grant. The document presents a combination of numerical, graphical and analytical methods to develop comprehension of mathematical concepts.
Exercises illustrate how to implement the technology as a tool in the problem solving process.
During the integration process, it became apparent that these faculty development efforts are extremely important and beneficial.