The graphic power of technological tools affords access to visual models that are powerful but that many students are unable or unwilling to generate independently. The computational capacity of technological tools extends the range of problems accessible to students and also enables them to execute routine procedures quickly and accurately, thus allowing more time for conceptualizing and modeling. Students' engagement with, and ownership of, abstract mathematical ideas can be fostered through technology. Technology enriches the range and quality of investigations by providing a means of viewing mathematical ideas from multiple perspectives. Technology also provides a focus as students discuss with one another and with their teacher the objects on the screen and the effects of the various dynamic transformations that technology allows.
Technology offers teachers options for adapting instruction to special student needs.
Students who are easily distracted may focus more intently on computer tasks, and those who have organizational difficulties may benefit from the constraints imposed by a computer environment. Students who have trouble with basic procedures can develop and demonstrate other mathematical understandings, which in turn can eventually help them learn the procedures. The possibilities for engaging students with physical challenges in mathematics are dramatically increased with special technologies. Technology supports effective mathematics teaching. The effective use of technology in the mathematics classroom depends on the teacher.