Teachers' views on dynamically linked multiple representations and relational understanding of mathematics: an investigation into the use of TI-Nspire in Scottish secondary schools

What are the effects on pupils’ understanding of mathematical concepts, of teaching which uses multiple representations of these concepts through interaction with handheld technology? Throughout session 2008-9, this research project has involved 6 Scottish secondary schools, 2 mathematics teachers from each school and pupils from different ages and stages. Teachers used TI-Nspire software and pupils the handheld versions. This technology has been specifically designed to allow dynamically linked multiple representations of mathematical concepts such that pupils can observe clear links between cause and effect in different representations. (TI-Nspire allows various applications such as graphs, dynamic geometry, lists and spreadsheets, graphing calculator, text, etc all within the single software package or handheld version.) The research also focuses on the impact of the technology on teaching methods