Subject: RE: [MATHEDCC] Assessment
From: David Beach (DavidB@labette.cc.ks.us)
Date: Mon Jan 31 2000 - 09:50:28 EST
We are currently using the Compass computerized placement test and are
working out where our cutoffs should be.
Statement of Personal Philosophy:
I totally disagree with the idea of introducing calculators at lower and
lower grades. The result of this for the students I see is an ability to
conceptually understand how to solve an equation, but an inability to do
simple equations quickly because they are slaved to the machine and cannot
seem to think without them.
I believe calculators are wonderful devices, but for operations like basic
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fraction operations,
they should not be introduced for use until the student demonstrates some
acceptable standard of mastery and application of these principles without
the machine.
Students cannot truly know the math behind the machine if all they know is
how to punch buttons on the machine.
David Beach
Labette Community College
> ----------
> From: Wayne F. Mackey[SMTP:wmackey@comp.uark.edu]
> Reply To: Wayne F. Mackey
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 9:41 AM
> To: mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu
> Subject: Re: [MATHEDCC] Assessment
>
> Dorrit,
>
> We allow free use of calculators in all our placement tests and in all our
> courses save one. Probably shouldn't since it seems to us that students
> using the calculators the most do worst on tests but the students might
> riot if we didn't.
>
> wayne
>
> At 03:07 PM 1/27/00 -600, you wrote:
> >I am happy to see the list come alive after a quiet beginning of the
> >semester. I missed the conversation.
> >
> >I am interested in how your department handles the use of graphing
> >calculators on placement tests.
> >
> >I am also interested in any departmental policies on the use of
> >graphing calculators on departmental tests.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Dorrit O'Hallaron
> >Assoc. Prof.
> >St. Charles County Community College
> >St. Peters, Mo.
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> >
> Wayne F. Mackey
> Director, MRTC
> University of Arkansas
> ScEn #301
> Fayetteville, AR 72701
> wmackey@comp.uark.edu
> (501) 582-3764
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