CHANGES OF TEACHING MATHEMATICS BY COMPUTER ALGEBRA SYSTEMS (CAS)

Computers and especially computer algebra systems are able to do almost everything that in a operative way is normally asked for in mathematics teaching and that in most cases, is also extensively practiced. Thus, using CAS in mathematics teaching can and will change essential parts of the traditional, computerless mathematics teaching in an effective way. With these changes not only innovative progress, but also undesirable developments can be expected. These changes offer chances as well as dangers; great hopes are linked to them but considerable fear also arises. In this paper I will outline some problems and questions that arise as soon as we consider changing mathematics teaching by using computers or CAS with regard to its goals, to its contents, to its methods and to the social behaviour and teaching manners (cf. PESCHEK 1997)