The Use of Calculators in Primary Schools is Quite Alarming
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Transcript of The Use of Calculators in Primary Schools is Quite Alarming
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The use of calculators in primary schools is quite alarming. Students may be taught a
basic paper-and-pencil mathematical technique with simple values and are then instructed
to use calculators for larger values. For example, a student is asked to perform long
division by hand, let us say divide 76 by 3, but is then encouraged to use a calculator to
divide larger numbers, say 1024 by 72. The claim is that the students are still learning
the necessary basic skill of long division but not over exerting themselves in solving
more complex problems. However, Joe Garofalo, Hollylynne Stohl Drier, Suzanne
Harper, Maria A. Timmerman, and Tod Shockey claim in their article, Promoting
Appropriate Uses of Technology in Mathematics Teacher Preparation, that [] using
technology to perform tasks that are just as easily or even better carried out without
technology may actually be a hindrance to learning (71). What the grade school
students are missing is essential practice in order to firmly establish basic mathematical
concepts and much needed exercise in their problem-solving skills. In this way they may
also quickly lose sight of the underlying mathematical concept. Technology should not
be used [] in ways that can distract from the underlying mathematics (Garofalo 69).
The above approach also teaches students to depend on calculators to perform difficult
tasks, which is not exactly the best way to prepare them for higher education or the real
world. Also, it trains students to take calculator results on blind faith especially when
they unknowingly incorrectly enter the problem, but [] technology should not
influence students to take things at face value [] (Garofalo 69). Experience suggests
that calculator usage in primary school should be minimized, if not eliminated entirely.
Students should learn basic mathematical skills using the paper-and-pencil method,
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therefore building a strong mathematical foundation for higher-level mathematical
concepts. If the use of calculators is stressed, it should be for confirming results already
obtained by hand. Bert Waits and Franklin Demana suggest in their article, Calculators
in Mathematics Teaching and Learning: Past, Present, and Future, that appropriate use
of technology in the classroom includes the following strategy: Solve problems using
paper and pencil and then support the results using technology (9). In this way, grade
school students are prepared for the more difficult mathematics they will encounter in
high school and college, where calculators have their proper place in the mathematical
curriculum.
Mathematics presented at the high school and college level offer lots of
opportunities for proper calculator use in the classroom. In fact, at this level the use of
calculators can be most beneficial. Kenneth Ruthven and Sara Hennessy point out in
their article, Successful ICT Use in Secondary Mathematics A Teacher Perspective,
that a primary advantage to using calculators in the classroom is to [] bring variety to
classroom activity, and enhance its appeal (22). They found that the use of technology
[] could expedite and more broadly facilitate the more routine components
of classroom activity, increasing the productivity of pupils and improving the
quality of work they produced, allowing them to be carried out more quickly and
reliably, with greater ease, and to higher quality. (Ruthven 20-1)
Certainly the use of calculators in the classroom is advantageous to both teachers and
students. Considering the difficulties often encountered in motivating students in the
mathematical curriculum, the fact that calculators [] could make activities more
interesting, exciting and fun [] for students and teachers alike is certainly of interest
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(Ruthven 22). However, the same dangers lie in calculator use in higher-level
mathematics as in grade school math. Teachers still risk cultivating student dependence
on calculators and overlooking the building of important basic skills. This is especially
dangerous at the high school and college level since high schools and a number of
universities prohibit the use of graphing calculators when taking exams. Therefore, it is
all the more so important for students to learn basic skills using paper-and-pencil
techniques and exercise their problem-solving skills by performing more difficult tasks
without the aid of calculators. A balanced approach to calculator usage is strongly
advised to all math educators. Garofalo and his colleagues stress that teachers [] use
technology to enhance their students learning of mathematics (86). This enhancement
means to extend students knowledge and understanding of mathematics beyondhand
calculations, not replace them.
When used appropriately in conjunction with paper-and-pencil techniques, the
calculator, in particular the graphing calculator, can be quite valuable to extending
students understanding of mathematics beyond the basics. For instance, the calculator
offers an opportunity to solve many more problems than can be done by hand. As Waits
states, some new mathematics becomes possible (6). Also, students are able to focus
on more difficult concepts rather than on underlying basic calculations: Calculators
reduce the drudgery of applying arithmetic and algebraic procedures when those
procedures are not the focus of the lesson (Waits 6). Graphing calculators especially
make it easier for students to explore mathematical concepts that lead to a much better
understanding and potentially connect their knowledge to the real world. According to
Garofalo and his colleagues, [] technology facilitates this exploration by reducing the
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of calculators since they can make math more fun and speed up calculations in order to
focus on more important lessons. Even then the possibility arises for promoting student
over-dependency on calculators without really understanding the underlying
mathematical concepts. It is still important at the higher level to introduce concepts using
paper-and-pencil techniques and then incorporate calculators in the exploration and
extension of mathematical knowledge. In this way students see the value of mathematics,
gain the skills they need, and maintain a healthy respect for technology.
Reasons for Using Technology
In general, technology includes the various levels of available technology:calculators, CBLs, computers, and laptops. The particular technology changesdepending on resources and the level of coursework. There are a few guidingprinciples like computers should not be used as fancy calculators; primarily, thedetermination of the technology depends upon the material being taught and the
resources available. The strongest reason to use technology, of any sort, occursupon those occasions when it can drive the introduction/discovery of newmaterial.
The experience of mathematics educators lead us to believe that technologyhelps promote the following:
Understanding the concepts of function and functional behavior; Support of the development of algebraic concepts; Visualization of solutions and functions; Understanding estimation and its applications; Development of intuition and pattern recognition; Confirmation of algebraic solutions Understanding technologys failure to solve certain problems; Use of and appreciation of scientific notation; Evolution of a vision of mathematics as a laboratory science, which allows
student group projects, written reports, and an interdisciplinaryunderstanding of mathematics and other areas of study;
Consideration of more realistic problems; Attention to applications even when complicated algebraic computations
are involved
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Visual understanding of mathematics in general and functions inparticular;
Improvement in communication skills; Increased attention of students; Understanding of the reality of mathematics and the applications of
mathematics. Use of a broader selection of functions, less meaningless memorization,
and more emphasis on intellectual understanding.