This book is an exploration of tools and mathematics and issues in
mathematics education related to tool use. The book has five parts. The
first part reflects on doing a mathematical task with different tools,
followed by a mathematician's account of tool use in his work. The
second considers prehistory and history: tools in the development from
ape to human; tools and mathematics in the ancient world; tools for
calculating; and tools in mathematics instruction. The third part opens
with a broad review of technology and intellectual trends, circa 1970,
and continues with three case studies of approaches in mathematics
education and the place of tools in these approaches. The fourth part
considers issues related to mathematics instructions: curriculum,
assessment and policy; the calculator debate; mathematics in the real
world; and teachers' use of technology. The final part looks to the
future: task and tool design and new forms of activity via connectivity
and computer games.