The Facilitative Role of Graphing Calculators in Learning Col. Algebra

The purpose of this paper was to explore (1) thefacilitative effect of the use of a graphingcalculator (gc) on mathematical problem solving inthe context of an adult (18+) college algebra class;(2) the connection between mathematics self-efficacy(mse) and college students' academic performance byusing the gc as a tool in the college algebra class(3) the effects of 6-week interventions designed toincrease mse; and (4) the relationship between mseand individuals' learning styles. The results showthat gc practice does benefit problem solvingparticularly when the problem requires understandingof graphic representation. Higher accuracy and mseresults showed that the use of gc successfully andpositively promotes individuals' mse andspecifically algebra classes. On individuals'learning styles visual learners do obtain asignificant benefit from the use of gc's and highermse when compared to balanced learners.