Re: [MATHEDCC] technology/fractions
martha a green (magreen@juno.com)
Tue, 23 Sep 1997 21:22:04 -0400
RE the calculator debate. As a N.Y.S. high school math teacher (intro.
courses through AP calculus) we're right in the middle of this issue.
The State has mandated that scientific calc. be available to ALL students
for the State Regent exams which, in effect, has taken the choice out of
our hands. While it frustrates me to watch kids use calculators to
subtract 3/4 from 2 1/2, the more important issue is weather they have
the critical thinking skills needed to solve the problem situations that
have now become the focus of the math curriculum. Many of the
manipulation "short cuts" that we (had to) learn aren't as critical now -
but if a student doesn't know which operation the problem calls for, the
calculator will not help!
My concern is that (my) students be properly prepared for the college
math classes they intend to enroll in. As to the other issue as to
mandating which class a college freshman takes (because of "open"
enrollment)...a similar situation exists at the high school level.
Students who are ill-prepared to achieve in the AP calculus class are
"allowed" to enroll . There is no way these students can earn a passing
AP grade, but as long as they "want to" they can stay in the class!
Frustrating.
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