O uso da calculadora científica na resolução de problemas matemáticos nas aulas de Matemática do Ensino Médio: Investigando concepções e explorando potencialidades

Abstract

This research work aimed to explore the conceptions on the use of Scientific Calculator and possibilities of this use in the process of mathematical solving problem. Is was done with students of a Middle School 3º Year class of a state school in the city of Afogados of Ingazeira, PE, between 2014 September to 2015 May. This is a qualitative research, based on, mainly, in the human perception and comprehension and the researcher himself is an instrument to observe the actions and contexts. The case study is the adopted study methodology, as it allows to portrait situations of real life, without lack of complexity and of its natural dynamics. We use as instruments for collecting the data participant observation, interviews (semi structured) with the class teacher and with the students of the case study and researcher notes. We started our research work with a Diagnostic Test, for choosing four of the students of the case study. After that, semi structured interviews were carried out, as one with the teacher class, aiming to identify their conceptions on the use of Scientific Calculator in Middle Level Mathematics class, and the other, with the same aims, with the four students of the case study. After that, we have done, with all the class, a Workshop, for presentation of Scientific Calculator. We have done six sessions of problem solving, three with the use of Scientific Calculator and three with this tool. In the end of the sessions of the problem solving a second interview was done with the students of the case study, in a way of identifying if the class teacher’s conceptions influences the students conceptions, as well as the possible change of conceptions during the process. The results show for a no use of calculator (even the basic one) in the classroom, by the Mathematics class teacher. The results also show for teaching and learning conceptions raised on traditional postures, not in order of students’ autonomy neither the use of essential technologies during their living in society. The students consider that the use of calculator does they mislearning how to do written calculus, made them depend to the machine, that they to calculate in a mechanical way. Another worry, for the students and the class teacher, is related to the calculator not be used in the ENEM and university exams. However, it is worth to mention, that today the exams (like ENEM) and university exams bring situations to evaluate competencies linked to argumentation, concepts and proprieties and not specifically calculus. So, it is not the fact of the use of calculator, itself, that will disturb the students, but the way it will be used. We hope that this research work contributes for a discussion about the issue and it may, in this way, also contributes for a better quality of Mathematics teaching/learning in our country.