CAME 2007 Symposium: Second Announcement

Improving Tools, Tasks and Teaching in CAS based Mathematics Education

History and Goals of CAME

Computer Algebra in Mathematics Education (CAME, is an open, international organization that was founded during a special meeting at ICME-8 in Seville in July 1996. Its main goal is to facilitate the dissemination and exchange of information on research and development in the use of computer algebra in mathematics education. Computer algebra systems have increasingly been incorporated into mathematics education, thus changing the mathematical environment of students and teachers at the secondary and tertiary levels.

• In August 1999, the first CAME Symposium was held at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
• In July 2001, the second CAME Symposium was held at the Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
• In June 2003, the third CAME symposium was held at IUFM in Reims, France.
• In October 2005, the fourth CAME symposium was held at Virginia Tech, Virginia, USA
• In June 2007, the fifth CAME symposium was held at the Hungarian Academy of Science, Pécs, Hungary .

Themes of the 2009 Symposium

Theme 1. Improving tools

(coordinator: Djordje Kadijevich)

Description: Present CAS tools frequently promote various learning difficulties regarding the selection, application and coordination of different representations of mathematical entities. These difficulties are, in general, particularly generated by incongruence between a paper-and-pencil technique and its CAS version and a lack of transparency of this CAS version. Concerned with tool design, the work in this theme is expected to focus on various CAS features (functions, commands, modes of work, etc.) that should be improved to reduce or eliminate the difficulties.

Theme 2. Improving tasks

(coordinator: Lynda Ball)

Description: Designing tasks for student use in a CAS classroom presents challenges and opportunities for teachers and researchers. The work in this theme will focus on identifying the features of well-designed CAS tasks, the potential challenges and opportunities provided by these tasks, whether CAS use presents unique challenges for task design, and new questions for research. Aspects such as designing for inclusion, for concept development, for engagement and for usability may be considered.

Theme 3. Improving teaching

(coordinator: Rose Mary Zbiek)

Description: The implications of CAS for the classroom are numerous. Attention to tasks and tools blend with critical issues and pressing questions about the nature of teaching in CAS-present classrooms. The work in this theme will focus on teachers and teaching as teachers experiment with tasks and tools.

Provisional Program

Wednesday, 15 July
19-20 Welcome cocktail
Thursday, 16 July
9:00-9:15 Registration
9:15-9:30 Symposium opening
9:30-10:30 Theme 1 plenary
10:30-11:00 Refreshment break
11:00-12:00 Theme 2 plenary
12:00-13:00 Theme 3 plenary
13:00-14:30 Lunch
14:30-15:00 General discussion
15:00-16:00 Work of thematic groups
16:00-16:30 Refreshment break
16:30-17:30 Work of thematic groups
17:30-18:00 CASIO presentation
19:00-21:00 CAME dinner

Friday, 17 July
9:00-10:30 Reports of thematic groups
10:30-11:00 Refreshment break
11:00-11:45 Final discussion
11:45-12:15 Future CAME activities
12:15-12:30 Symposium closing
12:30-14:00 Lunch

Relevant Committees

• Roger Brown, University of Bath, UK
• Paul Drijvers, Freudenthal Institute, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
• Kathy Heid, Pennsylvania State University, USA
• Cyril Julie, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
• Barry Kissane, Murdoch University, Australia
• Jean-Baptiste Lagrange, I.U.F.M., Reims, France
• Matija Lokar, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
• John Monaghan, University of Leeds, UK
• Antonio Quesada, Akron University, Ohio, USA
• Csaba Sarvari, University of Pécs, Hungary
• Edith Schneider, University of Klagenfurt, Austria
• Anthony Watkins, University of Plymouth, UK [former chair]
• Hans-Georg Weigand, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
• Rose Mary Zbiek, Pennsylvania State University, USA [chair]
• Nurit Zehavi, Weizmann Institute, Israel [former chair]

Instructions for Authors

Each presentation is expected to examine 3-4 important issues relevant to theme (see descriptions of themes given above). The reaction to each presentation is to be an elaboration of these important issues. In order to provide a broader context for discussion, reactor may, if need be, add one issue not discussed in the presentation. Presenters and reactors are invited by the organizing committee. Their papers will appear on the CAME website in May.

Short papers should elaborate on 2-3 issues examined in the presentation and reaction of the chosen theme (including, if need be, one relevant issue not covered in that presentation or its reaction).

Each contribution, based upon sound theoretical grounds with empirical evidence when available, may be co-authored by two or three authors.

Because we plan to present the outcome of the Symposium in a special issue of an international research-oriented journal, a high quality of all contributions is required. This issue, edited by Kathy Heid, Rose Mary Zbiek and Djordje Kadijevich, will comprise 5-6 research papers, where the work in each theme should be represented by one or two papers written by 3-5 contributors to that theme under the guidance of their principal authors and the three co-editors. The coordinators of the three themes will keep in mind this aim when making decisions about the content of presentations, reactions, and best short papers. Note that this year the CAME group celebrates 10 years of successful international activities and we wish to dedicate the special issue to this anniversary.

The length of contributions depends on the type of contribution: 5 or 6 pages for presentations, 4 or 5 pages for reactions, and 3 or 4 pages for short papers. Please use Times New Roman 10 pt font bearing in mind suggestions for layout and content given at came6@megatrend.edu.rs

The pre-registration, which reserves a seat for you and keeps it until 31 May, is opened from 1 to 31 March. Details for symposium fee payment and possible accommodation (to be arranged by participants themselves with suggested hotels) will be sent to the pre-registered colleagues by 1 April.

The Symposium fee is 120 Euro before 1 June, and 150 Euro beginning 1 June. The fee includes secretariat, two lunches, refreshment breaks, welcome cocktail, symposium publications, and CAME dinner. [The Symposium fee for an accompanying person is 50 Euro and only includes welcome cocktail and CAME dinner.] In case of participation cancellation, the fee paid cannot be refunded.

To register for CAME 6 please send your pre-registration number and an e-copy of the bank receipt that you have paid the Symposium fee by using came6@megatrend.edu.rs

In each of the three themes, virtual participation is, if needed, will be available for the two or three best contributions. The virtual participation fee is 60 Euro, payable by 1 July.

The three presentations and reactions to them will be placed on the Internet by 15 May. If you wish to make a short presentation, please contact the coordinator of the theme that best matches your interests. Short papers should be submitted through the theme organizers by 15 June.

For Additional Information

For information regarding local facility, contact: Djordje Kadijevich.