STUDENTS VIEWPOINTS ON THE PAPER AND PENCIL SKILLS IN THE PRESENCE OF A COMPUTER ALGEBRA SYSTEM

Lazim Abdullah, 2Abu Osman Md Tap and 3Wan Salihin Wong Abdullah
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Centre of Quality and Academic Development University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Kulliyah of Information and Communication Technology International Islamic University Malaysia 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Graduate School University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
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Abstract Computer algebra systems have been used by thousands of teachers and students for teaching and learning mathematics. They have the ability to perform efficiently in almost all the algebraic expansions and simplifications. Nevertheless, the traditional approach of using paper and pencil in acquiring procedural knowledge is still widely practised. This paper aims to accumulate the students views on the attributes of a selected paper and pencil skill in learning algebra after exploring maximum (or minimum) values of quadratic functions in the environment of a computer algebra system. The study employed a questionnaire which consists of ten attributes for determining the students views on the paper and pencil skills in the presence of a computer algebra system learning environment. Descriptive frequency statistics of percentages were used to analyze data from one hundred and sixty four students sampled from a secondary school in Terengganu, Malaysia. The students were exposed to the learning of completing the square method of quadratic functions by using a computer algebra system and paper and pencil skills as well. The students views toward the paper and pencil skills in the presence of computer algebra system will be discussed in this paper. These findings give rise to the concerns about the importance of the paper and pencil skills in the age of computerised mathematics technology. Keywords: computer algebra systems, paper and pencil skills, technology in mathematics teaching, pedagogical strategies