Kathy Burgis
kburgis@lansing.cc.mi.us
Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI USA
"John M. Flanigan" <johnf@HAWAII.EDU> on 02/25/99 02:59:19 PM
Please respond to "John M. Flanigan" <johnf@HAWAII.EDU>
To: Edward Laughbaum <elaughba@MATH.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
cc: Bret Taylor <bret@IAG.NET>, mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu (bcc:
Kathy Burgis/Math-Science/Student Academic Support/LCC)
Subject: Re: [MATHEDCC] calculators
Ed:
I think you may be missing the point. We're not complaining about the use
of calculators to teach. We all do it, I assume. But when children--we're
talking about students who can't do basic arithmetic calculations--are
given calculators, they WILL (I use the capitals advisedly) use them to
get answers, when the goal is not to get answers, but rather to learn HOW
to get answers. The students have the calculators at home. They use them
for homework. The teacher cannot control that. In most cases, it lessens
their felt need to develop the mental ability to calculate--a capability
that is necessary to compete successfully in higher math and science
classes.
John M. Flanigan <johnf@hawaii.edu> The equation is the final arbiter.
Assistant Professor, Mathematics --Werner Heisenberg
Kapi'olani Community College The scoreboard is the final
arbiter.
4303 Diamond Head Road --Bill Walton
Honolulu HI 96816 History is the final arbiter.
(808) 734-9371 --Edward Gibbon
On Thu, 25 Feb 1999, Edward Laughbaum wrote:
> At 12:04 PM 2/25/99 -0500, Bret Taylor wrote:
> >Thank you.
> >
> >Our school is apparently one of the dwindling few who do not allow use
of
> >technology at the developmental level.
> THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT HAND-HELD TECHNOLOGY IS A TEACHING TOOL. SO
> BY REFUSING TO ALLOW CALCULATORS IS TO DENY TEACHERS THE TOOLS THEY NEED
TO
> TEACH. ANOTHER RELATED PROBLEM IS THAT HAND-HELD TECHNOLOGY IS A
> SOPHISTICATED TOOL AND REQUIRES TRAINING ON THE PROPER USE -- SOMETHING
> TEACHERS (COLLEGE) MAY THINK THEY DON'T NEED.
>
> ED
>
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