EJMT Abstract

In order to consider the ways in which interactive geometry software might facilitate the expression of generality, an exploratory inspection using a series of tasks related to finding a connection between the radius and area of a circle was performed using Cabri II Plus, Casyopée, Cinderella, GeoGebra, Geometer’s Sketchpad and TI-Nspire (CAS). It was found that the programs specifically designed to include algebraic functionality had less potential for enabling students to develop the concept of variable and to generate symbolic representations between variables than did the programs with less overt algebraic functionality. An implication is that more attention needs to be paid to the needs of learners in the early stages of algebraic thinking when incorporating algebra within IGS.