Yes.
>
>2. Does the routine use of calculators at the primary level reduce the
>mental act of doing arithmetic operations?
Yes.
>
>3. Does the observation that some college students use calculators to
>multiply 7 by 10 serve as evidence of calculator-induced learning deficit?
>
Yes
>4. Does the fact that calculators can be used to enhance learning, negate
>the possibility that they may also tempt students to avoid learning basic
>operations?
>
No
>5. Can a student who requires a calculator to do basic arithmetic do as
>well in college as a student who is able to do basic operations mentally?
>
The key word here is "Can." A particular student "can" do as well, but the
probablility he or she may do as well as the other student is less than 1/2
(IMHO).
>6. Are these fair questions?
When taken out of context, probably not. But to those of us who use and
believe in technology and its ability to enhance understanding, they are
needed reminders about the potential pitfalls when using them improperly.
"Calculators don't kill mathematical understanding; but they are the weapon
of choice of some teachers."
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