| The purpose of this dissertation was to formatively evaluate a graphing calculator study guide that was designed by the researcher for a beginning developmental mathematics course. This study is Type I developmental research because it applies systematic procedures for design and development to the formative evaluation stage in the instruction design process.;Three expert reviewers, four one-to-one learners, six small group participants, and 33 members of three developmental mathematics classes in a field test evaluated the graphing calculator study guide instruction. The study guide was revised to achieve the overall goal of formative evaluation which is to make instruction (a) effective, (b) efficient, (c) interesting/motivating, (d) useable, and (e) acceptable. The graphing calculator used in this study was the Sharp EL-9300C because of its ease of use and its unique solver function. The major revisions that were identified in the research could also be applied in improving study guides for other graphing calculators. |
