Students must be able to reason, communicate, work cooperatively and make connections to solve theoretical and situational problems. Involvement of all students in worthwhile mathematical tasks facilitates the way students learn mathematics. Mathematical tools and technology are an integral component of the learning opportunities provided in the mathematics classroom. What we teach, how we teach, and the means by which we evaluate the relative success of that teaching and learning is inextricably influenced by technology. Technology prepares all students to successfully live in and contribute to a global society, to understand and operate complex communication and information systems, and to apply higher level thinking skills to make decisions and solve problems.
Technology enables students to explore and discover concepts in mathematics.
Whether they are exploring properties of geometric figures, seeing multiple representations of patterns and functions, or collecting and organizing data, technology gives access to higher level mathematics at earlier stages in a student s educational experience. The Maryland Mathematics Content Standards are an energetic vision of what local mathematics curricula should include in terms of content priority. Of greatest importance is the success of all Maryland students in achieving these goals in mathematics in order to prepare them for a new world of choices and challenges. The challenge educators face is to work collaboratively to use the Standards as the basis for curriculum and assessment reform to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in Maryland schools. This document represents the consensus of many educators within Maryland.