I've been noticing that a number of the students in my double period classes and even students from my pre-calculus class seem to be very dependent on their calculators. I spoke to my cooperating teacher about this and he informed me that it was because a few years ago the district began a “push” for students to use calculators in class. They encouraged teachers to allow students to use their calculators. Their reasoning was that they had the calculators and they may as well use them. They figured if students did not spend as much time working on calculations they could focus more on the actual application of what was being taught. However, studies and the data gathered from standardized testing have shown a negative effect on grades across the board in mathematics. There is word that in the near future the district will pass a new policy they demands less dependency on the calculator. My question is would it be ok if I start discouraging such a dependency on calculators in my classes? For example, would it be fair of me to state that no calculators are to be used for tests or quizzes? Of course I will adjust my assessments so that a calculator is not necessary in order demonstrate comprehension. What is your feeling on this subject?
I am in the same boat as you, Yuri. My students are completely dependent on their calculators. One day, my cooperating teacher and I wrote a test for our students and announced that they were able to use calculators. The next day, about 10 minutes before the school day began, we decided to take the calculators off the student's desk. The student's were so furious with us, but we reassured them that they could complete the test without one. They did okay, generally speaking. I began to take away their calculators more and more as the school year goes on. They cannot completely depend on them and need to learn how to multiple two-digit numbers and simplify a fraction. I encourage the removal of calculators, slowly at first until they are fully independent of them.
ReplyDeleteI am a history teacher and therefor will never encounter this problem but I do believe that you should start to gear your assessments so that calculators are not used as heavily. Math is like a pyramid in that the basic skills(the base) are needed in order for you to achieve the higher order skills(the top). If you do not strengthen the base through repeated practice, then the top with fall, and those higher order skills will not be learned. So, go with it.
ReplyDeleteI babysit a ten year old boy and when he does his math homework, I do not allow him to use a calculator unless it is one that cannot be done reasonably on paper. I believe that when children become dependent on something, such as a calculator to do the math for them, they will not have to think as much for themselves. It is important that students learn to not rely on calculators so that they can strengthen their brain and problem solving skills. That being said, I think that students should use a calculator once they feel as if they do not have to rely on it, such as to double check answers and on tests.
ReplyDeleteI compare this to my area of Spanish. As teachers we are taught to not allow translators and to not translate for the students. The idea is that by translating for students, they rely on that instead of learning memorization skills. What we do instead is use pictures, context clues, gestures and definitions in Spanish to explain something. Of course there are exceptions but for the most part we try to stay away from translating.
Yuri, I think it would be perfectly fine for you to encourage the students not to depend so much on the calculator. Also, Ithink it would be an excellent idea to adjust your tests so the students do notneed a calculator to use. Ultimately, our main goal is to help these students succeed. Since that includes having to do well on several standardized tests throughout their educational career, I strongly believe we have to do whatever we can to prepare them for that. If the calculators are hurting the students chances of doing well on future tests and in college,then something must be changed now. Therefore, I think you have every right to step in and start encouraging the students to use their calculators less.
ReplyDeleteYuri, I believe that you will be doing your students a great favor by teaching them to be less dependent on calculators. What would they do if they were not allowed to use calculators in the class? How would they calculate a problem if they only had a pencil and paper to do it with? Its is very important to demonstrate to your students that they will be able to solve problems using their brains and nothing else. Students need to realize that their minds can work just as effectively as any gadget can.
ReplyDeleteI posted the same issue last semester. I totally agree with you. Mental math is very important. I was also puzzled why the education system allows such dependency on calculators. If the students practice mental math or calculating by hand they will become quick at doing that and not waste too much time. Its better to waste sometime in the earlier grades and teach them how to calculate things by hand, instead of having our students dependent on the calculators so much.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was encouraged to use a calculator- it was in high school. I learned just fine how to do math without a calculator and I have noticed in my own district that students are too dependent on calculators to do the simplest of math problems. I agree with Melissa and Marina; the brain is amazing and it can do math! The calculator is a crutch when it comes to doing simple math. Paper and pencil allows the student to see the process of mathematics rather than just being given a solution.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. Depending on what the test is on if you believe they can do the math without the calculator I say don't allow the calculators. When all the kids are doing is adding, subtracting, dividing, or multiplying numbers that shouldn't require a calculator they don't need to have it. This will only benefit them in the long run when it comes time for testing or in other classes when a teacher says they can't use it. The students have become so dependent on calculators that they can't do basic math skills anymore and it's actually very sad. I have kids in my class who have trouble adding negative numbers. They need their calculator in order to do it. They even need it to multiply and divide single digit numbers. This is something that schools need to start changing because it's only hurting the students.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason I'm a Language Arts person. Math and I are not friends! With that said, I do think it is important to be able to do calculations in your head or on paper. Yes, many of us do carry a calculator with us at all times on our phones. But it is much faster to be able to figure out a tip or to divide a bill or balance your checkbook without having to find your calculator.
ReplyDeleteMy only thought as far as banning calculators on tests is that I think it would have to be something that you would have to start the year with. Also, it would be important to run this past your department supervisor first.
Thank you all for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, I am awful at math. I have a difficult time grasping the concepts and remembering all the formulas. I was a student that was dependent on a calculator. However, my teacher would give us two parts to our tests. One part would allow you to use a calculator. Once we finished that part, we would have to hand it in along with our calculators and take part two which required no calculators. Part two allowed our teacher to monitor student progress and see how well we grasped the material without the help of a calculator. Perhaps if you utilize this kind of technique within your classes and assessments your students will become more and more self-sufficient and rely less on calculators.
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