The importance of using technology, specifically calculators, in a math classroom.
I have long been a proponent of using calculators in the classroom. My arguments stem from years of teaching math to Special Education students and their difficulty in retaining that which is “learned” from drill and practice. I feel that if, by the sixth grade, a student has not yet learned the “times tables”, then it should no longer be drilled at him or her if a technological accommodation can be used. Just because a student can not remember 9 x 8= 72 does not mean that he or she can not learn anything else, such as problem solving concepts, which reflect real life anyway. Mental math is fine, and is endorsed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, but some students do not have the capacity to memorize and need a boost. Otherwise math anxiety can occur (Hearing a student state “I hate math” is heartbreaking!). The same rule applies to Spell and Grammar Check—students can self-check for accuracy and see what correct spelling and grammar look like. The teacher can go on to teach higher-order concepts and skills, rather than being stuck on a dangling preposition, which is not a good place to be. Using these tools is a wonderful thing!
