Nowadays, the use of basic or graphing
calculators is common in all Mathematics classes or standardized exams such as
the SAT or ACT. Calculators are meant to save students’ time in doing basic
operations such as adding or subtracting while they are solving multi-steps
problems. As a result, more students tend to rely heavily on the calculators to
do the basic addition, subtraction, division or multiplication for them, and
eventually lose the ability to do them on their own. I think this has become a
major issue in Mathematics education, many educators do not see this as a
problem, which concerns me the most. I never get a chance to use the calculator
in class until high school. But now, middle school teachers already start
teaching their students how to use calculators. Few months ago, I went to
observe a 7th grade math class in a school at Newark and what I had
seen surprised me. The teacher asked one student to get the basic pocket
calculators from the closet and distribute it to every student. It is an
eye-opening experience for me because I never know that students begin to use
calculators in middle school, and the teacher does not see the risk of doing
that. It is actually depressing to see that some students don’t even know what
two times two is while they shall already have the multiplication table
memorized, and have to input in into the calculator to get the answer. Moreover,
I also saw the same thing happened in Montclair State University. I work at the
Red Hawk Math Learning Center on campus as an undergraduate tutor. I actually
saw some students, who are taking college-level math courses, did the same
thing that those middle school students did. They can’t calculate what seven
minus five is in their head, and have to physically put it into the calculator
to get the answer. I really wonder how they are going to do in the class when
they get to more advanced topics such as derivative. Therefore, I truly believe
that calculators shall not be allowed until students are in more advanced math classes
such as Pre-Calculus.
Allowing students to use calculators
at an early age is not helping students to develop or enhance their basic Math
skills. It actually takes away students’ opportunity to improve those skills so
that they become natural, something that students shall be able to do without
much effort. Fundamental skills such as being able to add or subtract two one
digit numbers are absolutely crucial in students’ learning of Math. Math
requires a lot of prior knowledge and basic skills, and concepts build upon
each other. Therefore, you can’t miss any step in the process if you want to
succeed in a Math class. If students rely on the calculator to do the basic
stuff for them, how are they going to learn the more abstract concept? Calculators are meant to make the process of
solving Math problems easier and effective, but it doesn't mean that students shall
depend on the calculators to do it for them. From what I have seen either at the
school or tutoring center, I believe that calculators are harmful to students
in middle school or basic math courses. Teaching them how to use the calculator
is not helping them to learn those skills. Those skills shall become so natural
that they do not even have to think much about it, and be able to do. I believe
practice makes perfect. The more you practice your basic skills either by doing
basic addition or multiplication in your head, the better your skills will be. So,
I disagree with the use of calculators in Math class because Math isn't just
about getting the answer quick, it is about grasping the basic skills and build
up upon those skills.
I share the same values on calculators being used in the younger grade levels. It makes no sense to teach students how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide if they are just going to use their calculators to get the answer. If we are allowing our students to use calculators than it is not worth our time to teach them the skills. Instead, we should just teach them how to plug in the numbers into the calculator to get the answer. I do not like that idea and cannot stand to see more and more schools incorporating this into their classes.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that calculators should be only used when students need to check their work, after they have completed the problem themselves. Students should not be able to use their calculators initially because it does not give them the opportunity to solve the problem on their own. If teachers allow students to use calculators they are not giving students the chance to make mistakes and figure things out on their own.
Theatrically, I agree to most of your opinion, but I think middle school students should learn at least a little bit of how the calculator is being used. Calculator takes a big role in math class especially taking a test, students are able to save up some time to do all the mathematic questions that is given. GEPA is a New Jersey State Assessment test for 8th graders to take to see if they are prepared for high school academics. And Since, GEPA is tested on language art and math, it is more important that middle school students to learn the usage of Calculator. I also think it’s good to start early middle school because that way students have more practice using the calculator then learning it late and use the calculator for the wrong reason.
ReplyDelete“Math class isn’t just about getting the answer quick, it is about grasping the basic skills and build up upon those skills.” However on a test day, students are being assessed by time, where students need to apply the problems on the calculator to find the answer. I know its important to build up those skills but there is no time during a test. There’s a time limit for them to follow. But I also agreed what you have said about students who are learning basic math shouldn’t use calculator because “there’s no effort solving the problem and takes away students’ opportunity to improve those skills.” Because if the students rely on calculators then what’s the point of having a teacher.