Emily Burton

M
athEd 308
Reader Response #3
10/6/2015

What?
As calculators have become nearly universally available, our mathematics
classrooms are being transformed. Procedures we used to drill and practice for
hours on end can now be done quickly with a calculator. Many are hesitant to
embrace calculators, thinking that calculators will replace learning. However, if we
reduce the tedium in our classrooms when we are not doing actual mathematics
but rather carrying out rote algorithms, we can spend more time developing
mathematical understanding, reasoning, number sense, and applications. Five
myths were debunked: calculators replace learning, calculators remove the
challenge, mathematics is taught fine without calculators, calculators prevent
acquisition of basic math skills, and calculators create a dependency on calculators
to do math. Calculators enhance learning, calculators speed up the learning
process, calculators change what is relevant in mathematics, calculators familiarize
work-related technology, and calculators do not replace the need for basic mental
math and estimation skills. Calculators have transformed mathematics. The
subject had regressed into a pencil pushing, formula regurgitating, computationally
demanding, and overall boring subject for many people. Now, students can get at
the actual mathematics like finding patterns, employing problem solving skills, and
thinking abstractly without the pencil and paper monotony. Math doesnt have to
ostracize students like it used to. Of course, there must be a balance of using
technology and pencil and paper tools. Math classes are moving away from an
algebra focus and turning toward higher-level connections and applications. Such a
focus is made possible when calculators are embraced in the classroom.

So What?
Subjects should always adapt to new knowledge, understanding, and tools that
become available. Math is no different. Though people have a hard time letting go
of the established notions of what math is, curriculum writers, math teachers, and
school administrators need to remember that math needs to change with the
times. Math curriculum will need to continue to embrace calculators and available
technology to aid in math understanding. Teachers will need to continue to educate
themselves on the latest technology so they are able to effectively use it in their
classrooms. Administrators need to allow, support, and encourage these changes.
Parents need to accept that the math class they experienced is mostly obsolete
and that is a good thing. I love how calculators have helped closed gender gaps,
engage students who were numbed to math by its boredom, and become more
accessible to real-life application. The better we adapt to these changes
calculators offer, the more we open our math programs to these incredible
improvements and advantages. Overall, we should never feel that we have

arrived at the perfect math curricula. Our mindset should always be to adapt
with the coming changes.

Now What?
As this article is presented to teachers, administrators, students, and parents, I
must be prepared to convince teachers, administrators, students, and parents of
the necessity and benefits of calculators in the classroom. At the same time, I cant
let technology overrun my classroom. I must find a balance with traditional mental,
paper and pencil mathematics and calculators. I need to purposefully use these
tools, that is, I need to analyze and consciously choose the best tool for the task,
whether that is a calculator, website, or pencil. Perhaps the most crucial thing I
learned from this reading is that I need to make a habit of learning about the latest
improvements. I would be a fool if I didnt want all of the incredible benefits of
technology in the classroom. The only way I can ensure that my students are
learning the most relevant mathematics for them is to make sure I am familiar with
the latest technology in the classrooms.