Re: [MATHEDCC] calculators are not the issue

jgajniak@IX.NETCOM.COM
Thu, 25 Feb 1999 08:12:55 -0600 (CST)

On 02/25/99 08:49:34 you wrote:
>
>I have been reading with interest the pro and con comments about using
>pocket calculators. In general, I agree with the comments that suggest
>".. having a good teacher is much more important than whether a student
>has access to a calculator or not". This discussion reminds me of a
>talk I just had with one of my pre-calculus students about what I
>believe is a more fundamental concern. This student is one who
>possesses very minimal thinking (critical?) skills, or else prefers not
>to use them. No matter what the question raised in class the student
>invariably reaches for his calculator, whether it is appropriate or
>not. He is taking my class a second time and will be unsuccessful again
>unless he begins to apply simple common sense thinking skills. He is
>not "stupid"! In summary, I believe we all have a few students who
>would rather not think, and much prefer very mechanical robotic
>solutions to problems. I can think of several things that partially
>explain this behavior. One, of many, is that I hear lots of stories
>about pre-college classrooms where Friday is video day, and teachers
>would rather not be bothered when students require them to "think". Are
>some of us sometimes too much like my student?
>
>Lee Erker
>Math/Physics
>Tri-County Community College
>Murphy, North Carolina

I absolutely,
positively, without reservation,
totally agree with Mr. Erker's views on the efficacy/
non-efficacy of students' calculator use.

As a high school teacher, there are at least 20% of
students in any of my classes (from Algebra 2 on down)
who really seem unable to function unless they
are rapidly pushing calculator keys--even when
the calculators are not applicable.

Personally, I wish students were not exposed to calculators
until High School Algebra 2.

I remember giving a "Fraction Quiz" to 9th graders
last semester. Without
calculators, 30% of a class pass. With calculators,
90% of students pass.

James C. Gajniak
Los Angeles High School Math Teacher

>
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