Math Research Paper
Since the 1980’s calculator use in the classroom has been a huge controversy between educators (Golden, 2000). It is becoming increasingly common to use calculators in the classroom on a regular basis. Some states allow students to use calculators on standardized tests and as part of the regular curriculum (Dion, 2001). Because we live in such a technologically changing world, hand held calculators have been far surpassed and can be purchased for as low as $4.00 each. This low price however, has not swayed the many people that believe calculators are not appropriate in the classroom.
These critics argue that calculators take away student’s basic knowledge of mathematics, prevent children from truly understanding mathematical concepts, avert their minds from learning logical reasoning, and give students a false sense of confidence about their mathematical ability (Education World, 2002). “Kids get to use calculators as a substitute for practice, and they never really understand arithmetic,” says Sandy Stotsky, a teacher in Massachusetts, one of the few states that have taken a back-to-basics approach states (Golden, 2000). Critics also believe that calculators work against learning basic mathematics, and do not allow children to appreciate the nature of math. They believe it takes the thinking out of mathematics (Stoll, 1999). Another argument that is brought up is that low-income and minority elementary school students are more likely to use calculators than middle-income which elementary school children. They are also more likely to score lower on standardized tests.
“At Hazelwood Elementary, where nearly half of the students are black and almost all qualify for subsidized school lunches, 7...
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... use in elementary classrooms. Teaching
Children Mathematics, 1 (5), 300-304.
Education World. (2002). Educators battle over calculator use: Both sides claim
casualties. Retrieved February, 22, 2003, from
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Golden, D. (2000). Calculators may be the wrong answer as a 'digital divide' widens in
schools. Maple River Education Coalition. Retrieved February, 22, 2003, from
http://www.mredcopac.org/update62.htm.
Reys, B., Arbaugh, F., Joyner, J. (2001). Clearing up the Confusion over Calculator Use In Grades K-5. Teaching Children Mathematics, 8 (2), 90-95.
Reys, R., Lindquist, M., Lambdin, D., Smith, N., Suydan, M. (2003). Helping children
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Stoll, C. (1999). High tech heretic. New York: Doubleday.
Another school in the same district is located “in a former roller-skating rink” with a “lack of windows” an a scarcity of textbooks and counselors. The ratio of children to counselors is 930 to one. For 1,300 children, of which “90 percent [are] black and Hispanic” and “10 percent are Asian, white, or Middle Eastern”, the school only has 26 computers. Another school in the district, its principal relates, “‘was built to hold one thousand students’” but has “‘1,550.’” This school is also shockingly nonwhite where “’29 percent '” of students are “‘black [and] 70 percent [are]
Analysis of Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum
In Topeka, Kansas, the school for African-American children appeared to be equal to that of the white school. However, the school was overcr...
An author’s way of writing and portraying a character are one of the important things to note when reading a novel. Whether they use third or first person as their view point, have their main character have an underlying dark secret that is not revealed until the end of the novel. However an author wishes to write their novel, there is always a drawback to it. Kazuo Ishiguro’s way of writing his novel Never Let Me Go is in a first person perspective where the narrator, Kathy H., reassess her life of being a clone but the way Kathy remembers and discusses her memories of living in Hailsham is hindered by the fact she inputs her own feelings and thoughts into what happened in the past.
...Raskind and Stanberry (2010) state, “the auditory feedback may help a student check the accuracy of the keys he presses and verify the answer” (p. 1), which clarifies that these special calculators can positively affect students.
...o get attracted by easy and quick ways of learning things. If the technology provides easy and attractive solutions to students, they will get addicted to it and overuse it in ways which can certainly drop the educational standards. Gelernter disagrees with the comment made by a school principle, “Drilling addition and subtraction in an age of calculators is a waste of time.” (279). He revels the bitter truth where American students are not fully prepared for college because they have poorly developed basic skills. In contrast to this reality, he comments, “No wonder Japanese kids blow the pants of American kids in math.” (280). He provides the information from Japanese educator that in Japan, kids are not allowed to use calculators till high school. Due to this, Japanese kids build strong foundation of basic math skills which make them perform well in mathematics.
Calculators, computers, appliances, and many more things were created to help us. “The tools we use to think change the way in which we think” (Turkle). This point that Sherry Turkle made in her article and it is true, in a way. Computers do things for us and to us, that is also true. Some people like to blame technology for a lot of things and they could be in the right or in the wrong for it. “Technology does not determine change, but it encourages us to take certain directions” (Turkle). Calculators, for example, are only a tool and people will blame them when the answer they get is wrong. They are wrong though, since calculators are only a tool, it means that they are the ones that messed up. If they had done it by hand, there is a 99% chance that they would have done it wrong
In the article “Technology in the Classroom: Beginnings and Endings”, Mary Ann Matras suggests that, “The pencil is still the most efficient tool”. Many people will agree with her argument because students have learned that way for many years and it has worked. It is also a common fact that when a person writes something down with a pen or pencil they are more likely to remember the information rather than typing it. Author, Mary Ann Matras continues to explain more about why the pencil is a powerful tool, ” When a student can use a pencil to do a calculation faster than and as well as, he or she can do it with a computer or calculator, then the tool for the job should be the pencil,” Mary Ann Matras states. Another issue that classrooms have with technology is that it takes away class time. If a student can do their work as fast as a computer than they don’t need the computer, it is better for them to work it out by themselves. Also, if it takes the same amount of time as writing with a pencil does than a pencil is a better
To investigate the notion of numeracy, I approach seven people to give their view of numeracy and how it relates to mathematics. The following is a discussion of two responses I receive from this short survey. I shall briefly discuss their views of numeracy and how it relates to mathematics in the light of the Australian Curriculum as well as the 21st Century Numeracy Model (Goos 2007). Note: see appendix 1 for their responses.
Ward (2005) explores writing and reading as the major literary mediums for learning mathematics, in order for students to be well equipped for things they may see in the real world. The most recent trends in education have teachers and curriculum writers stressed about finding new ways to tie in current events and real-world situations to the subjects being taught in the classroom. Wohlhuter & Quintero (2003) discuss how simply “listening” to mathematics in the classroom has no effect on success in student academics. It’s important to implement mathematical literacy at a very young age. A case study in the article by authors Wohlhuter & Quintero explores a program where mathematics and literacy were implemented together for children all the way through eight years of age. Preservice teachers entered a one week program where lessons were taught to them as if they were teaching the age group it was directed towards. When asked for a definition of mathematics, preservice teachers gave answers such as: something related to numbers, calculations, and estimations. However, no one emphasized how math is in fact extremely dependable on problem-solving, explanations, and logic. All these things have literacy already incorporated into them. According to Wohlhuter and Quintero (2003), the major takeaways from this program, when tested, were that “sorting blocks, dividing a candy bar equally, drawing pictures, or reading cereal boxes, young children are experienced mathematicians, readers, and writers when they enter kindergarten.” These skills are in fact what they need to succeed in the real-world. These strategies have shown to lead to higher success rates for students even after they graduate
However, technology should never substitute the fundamental learning in our educational systems. Specifically, in primary school, building a firm fundamental education is crucial. Seeing children still using fingers to do simple math in second grade is not a good sign of academic improvement. Though the students may easily figure out the answers by using a calculator, before letting the children get any closer to these technical gadgets, they have to first learn to figure out the answers themselves.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Skemp, R (2002). Mathematics in the Primary School. 2nd ed. London: Taylor and Francis .
In contrast, students with dyscalculia often use a count all method when working with math problems. As stated in Socioeconomic Variation, Number Competence, and Mathematics Learning Difficulties in Young Children “Young children who develop mathematical learning difficulties rely on the more basic “count all” finger strategies for extended periods…thus make frequent counting errors while adding and subtracting” (Jordan & Levine 2009, pp.63). Students with dyscalculia approach problems in a similar fashion and do not use effective strategies when working with numbers. As a result, they tend to take long periods of time to figure a problem and make mistakes when counting. On the other hand, students who use effective strategies, such as grouping when doing addition or subtraction are more likely to arrive at the correct
During my education, teachers have had many more resources available to them than they did during my Grandpa's time. Calculators, computers, and TV are everyday tools used for teaching. Teachers taught us how to use a calculator at a very early age. Since the fifth grade, I have used a computer to write or research most of my asiments. Every year, the amount of work I do on a computer increases.
This book aims to help people feel more comfortable with math and not be so afraid of it. Marilyn Burns goes through