Re: [MATHEDCC] Graphing Calculators

Edward Laughbaum (elaughba@MATH.OHIO-STATE.EDU)
Wed, 09 Jun 1999 10:07:45 -0400

At 05:46 PM 6/8/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Must is a strong word. I will try to insure that my kids never waste time
>with them. A pentium laptop can do almost anything a GC can and much
>more. Care to write a term paper on a GC? Download and read a 100 page
>pdf document? If math were the only subject in school, GC's would be
>passable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I labored over the word "must", but am convinced it is correct.

Notebook computers have their place, like writing papers or dealing with
massive files, but am not certain how this relates to the teaching of
mathematics - the point of the posting. You mention that your kid will not
waste time with them. Does this mean you will deny your child the learning
experiences available through the teaching of mathematics with hand held
technology? I expect "never" is a strong word too.

Someone else will probably mention this, but students can't afford
computers. Maybe the discussion is moot.

Ed
=============================================

>----------
>> From: Edward Laughbaum <elaughba@MATH.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
>
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> The calculator is a teaching tool, and as such, must be used in all math
>> courses - probably 7th grade and up. As always, the key is appropriate
>use
>> - not button pushing.
>
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