GOALS FOR A CAS-ACTIVE SENIOR MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM

Kaye Stacey University of Melbourne <k.stacey@edfac.unimelb.edu.au>

Gary Asp University of Melbourne <g.asp@edfac.unimelb.edu.au>

Barry McCrae University of Melbourne <b.mccrae@edfac.unimelb.edu.au>

This paper canvasses options for goals of using computer algebra systems (CAS) in senior secondary mathematics subjects. CAS may be used in order to align school mathematics with the use of technology in the modern world, or to make students better users of mathematics, or to achieve deeper learning, or to change views of mathematics, or to provide curriculum space to introduce new topics, or some combination of these. The features of CAS making these feasible goals are outlined. To stimulate debate, we propose priorities amongst the goals and propose the relative likelihoods of the enabling mechanisms working in practice.