Re: [MATHEDCC] Crossroads Workshops
Vern Kays (vkays@RICHLAND.CC.IL.US)
Wed, 30 Apr 1997 16:43:05 -0500
At 12:15 PM 4/30/97 PST, rbenso@SEACCC.SCCD.CTC.EDU wrote:
>and learning but I must admit, my biggest problem is understanding why
>someone would NOT want them to use a calculator!
>
>
>
> Same reason you would not want them to use a car
> in the Boston Marathon.
>
Most individuals do not want to run or walk a marathon. They want to get
from one place to another. They do not care so much how. It is
mathematical understanding. Calculators can do that if used appropriately.
WE require graphing calculators for all courses above Basic Algebra. Now
the questions is what good mathematical questions can we ask students? I do
not use a slide rule anymore either. Nor do I keep a paper grade book. Does
that make me a bad teacher I think not. I am working harder now trying to
find ways to connect students to mathematics using the tools and concepts
they need to day than before when the proceedures were the guts of the
course and students lost the "knowledge" three weeks after the course was
completed.
I know some of my students know more mathematics because they use the
technology not less. They understand what a root is and it has meaning. It
is not just a task to factor an unreal trinomial. I can ask questions about
higher power polynomials and get interest and mostly correct responses. My
students actually argue about mathematics after class is over.
Vern Kays
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