What is the problem?
Calculators are now allowed in the math classes especially in elementary schools. By using the calculator, the students in higher grade may pay more attention on the formulas, relationship between formulas, and real problems instead of those boring and time-consuming arithmetical calculation. But the over use of calculators may lead to the lost of basic skills. Student may not be able to do math problems on papers on their own. So using a calculator in math class is wrong or right? How to avoid its side effects?
Is it necessary?
There are several mythes about the calculators in class among the public.
-Myth #1: Calculators are a crutch: They are used because students are too lazy to compute the answers on their own; they do the work for the student.
-Myth#2: Because calculators do all of the work for the student, he/she will not be stimulated or challenged enough.
- Myth#3: "If I didn't need to use technology to learn math, then neither does my child. After all, I turned out just fine."
-Myth#4: The use of calculators prevents students from effectively learning the basic mathematics they will need when they enter the workforce.
-Myth#5: People will become so dependent on calculators that they will be rendered helpless without one.
(Heidi Pomerantz, 1997)
Mathematics has grown substantially in the last fifty years, and the tools available to aid mathematics students have also changed dramatically. Mathematics today is a subject that is more important for all students to really understand and appreciate. It is a subject that holds more meaning for students , one that allows them to think logically, develop number sense, and cultivate a true mathematical understanding. The implementation of calculators and computer technology into mathematics curricula at every level of education is vital to the advancement of mathematical teaching and learning. Mathematics is not only about rote computations and tedious algebraic manipulations.
Research and Data analysis:
It is a really interesting study!
ReplyDeleteAs I studied in mainland China for almost 16 years, our basic education is not allowed using any calculators in study, no matter how complicated math problem is. This rule confused me for decade of years, " why our education refused such technology helping students solve math problem?"
I admit that our foundation of math education is so excellent that all the western countries can not reach to this level. However, the sustainability of math development is weak when come to the college/university study. Why comes to this result? Because, chinese student always pay more attention on solving technique but not the problem solving itself. Remember formula can solve one math problem but can not solve all!
Calculator is a great invent for people to address complicated math issues. Math teachers have the responsibility to teach student how to use this product to solve question effectively but not refused this invent just for training the students' basic calculating ability.
Our group discussed whether or not calculator should be used in teaching math in elementary grades and thought about ideas on how to use it wisely.
ReplyDeleteI think there're still some things to keep in mind when using calculator.When calculator is used more freely, one should pay attention to following points:
Calculator is a tool to do calculations. So is the human mind, and paper & pencil. Students should be taught when to use calculator, and when mental computing (or even paper & pencil) are more effective or appropriate. Choosing the right 'tool' is part of effective problem-solving process.
It is very important that students learn how to estimate the result before doing the calculation. It is so very easy to make mistakes when punching in the numbers, and a student must not learn to 'rely' on the calculator without checking the reasonableness of the answer.
Calculator should not be used for a random trying out of all possible operations and seeing which one produces the right answer. It is crucial that the child understands the different mathematical operations so she knows WHEN to use which one - whether the actual calculation is done mentally, on paper, or with a calculator.
In my opinion, calculator can be used in the teaching in a good way or a bad way - it all depends on the teacher's approach. Calculator in itself is not bad or good -- it is just a tool. It is used a lot in today's society, so students should learn to use it by the time they finish school.
Calculators are useful tools in elementary mathematics classes, if students already have some basic skills, new research has found. The findings shed light on the debate about whether and when calculators should be used in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI think the calculator’s effect on subsequent performance depended on how much the students knew to begin with. For those students who already had some multiplication skills, using the calculator before taking the test had no impact. But for those who were not good at multiplying, use of the calculator had a negative impact on their performance.