Most students today might not be able to imagine a world without technology. After all, it's embedded in their daily lives. So it is only natural that students hope to have access to technology in the classroom.
Mathematics classrooms should reflect the fast-changing technological landscape and be places where technology is integrated to enhance both teaching and learning.
Appropriate use of math technology
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics argues that “an excellent mathematics program integrates the use of mathematical tools and technology as essential resources to help students learn and make sense of mathematical ideas, reason mathematically, and communicate their mathematical thinking.” In other words, technology must be used to engage students in tasks that promote their learning of important mathematics and their ability to make sense of mathematics. This is true at both the elementary and secondary level.
It is critical to note that the research is clear: appropriate use of technology can enhance students’ understanding of mathematical concepts. Successfully teaching math using technology also dictates that we instructionally broaden our goals beyond answer finding to include a focus on the reasonableness of answers and how results will be used in a given context. This is critical so students don’t blindly accept the answers a calculator may provide.
Dynamic mathematical technologies, whether the platform is an advanced graphing calculator, website, or specific application on a tablet or computer, provide an interactive environment where students can examine and visualize multiple representations of functions and dynamically link symbolic expressions, numerical data, and graphs. Data analysis tools (calculators, APPS, or software) allow students to work with real data and test hypotheses. Interactive geometry tools allow students to explore and test geometric conjectures. Computer algebra systems [CAS] allow students to work with complicated algebraic statements so they can shift their focus to mathematical modeling and problem solving. All of these tools represent ways in which mathematics is used in the 21st century.
Teaching math using technology is necessary, but insufficient
Technological tools truly support student development of a deep understanding of mathematical relationships and mathematical structure—allowing us to focus more on conceptual knowledge and problem solving. The technology tools mentioned above are the technologies that individuals engaged in STEM professions use on a daily basis. It is, therefore, important to leverage these technology tools to advance and motivate student learning.
But it is critical to remember that these are just tools. No piece of math technology will ever replace a highly effective teacher. The bottom line is that effective teaching is about engaging students with worthwhile mathematical tasks in ways that help them develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Effective teachers of mathematics leverage technology as a tool to support student engagement and learning, but not as an end onto itself.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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This blog post, originally published in 2019, has been updated for 2025.
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