Calculator Dependence

When do we start introducing calculators into our math curriculums?  

As technology in schools continues to grow, the calculator has been a consistent tool used for solving mathematical computations at all levels.  However, the overreliance on this tool has proven to have detrimental effects on a student’s basic computational skills.  Mental math and pencil to paper operations dwindle as a student can simply reach for the calculator to perform any needed computation.

As students progress through their years of math, the concepts become more complicated involving more in depth calculation.  When students reach this level, the use of a calculator is more understandable for higher concepts and for saving time with long, tedious arithmetic.  However, the calculator does not replace a human brain.  The calculator’s performance is only as accurate as the student entering the information.  Therefore, learning how to properly use this tool is essential.

Here at Think Tutoring, we tend to restrict the use of calculators in our basic math programs and in certain aspects of our upper level math programs.  Maintaining mental sharpness is key when moving towards academic improvement, especially in math.  It is also a true benefit to our SAT students who have to face a non-calculator section on the SAT test.  Learning more complex skills tends to be easier when fundamentals are already mastered and maintained.

Struggling Math Students

What the Data Says

An article in Education Week titled  What We Know About Struggling Math Students, According to PISA Results cites a direct correlation between homework levels and school performance in Math, particularly for low-performing students who experience a high level of anxiety about math. 

In fact, the article argues that poor performance in Math can sometimes be a self-fulfilling prophesy, driven by a student's confidence (or lack of thereof) in Math.   The author suggests, however, that low performers don't necessarily hate or even dislike math -- they just get discouraged with poor results.   The dynamic can be cyclical -- poor performance reduces confidence which in turn reduces motivation with results in even lower performance.

The study also suggests that students who participate in a variety of extra curricular activities, particularly creative outlets such as music or the arts demonstrate increased confidence and performance in Math.

Finally, as the article states -- Homework goes a long way.   Students who routinely spend one hour each night doing Math homework perform far better than those who do not.

What's  a Parent To Do?

 Parents of children who struggle with Math can take active and sometimes even fun steps to help their child.

1. For younger kids, make math part of every day home life, such as working with measurements, adjusting receipes in the kitchen, for example using multipliers and divisors.  
2. When traveling in the car, employ simple family games such as sequential math, having each family member perform a unique arithmetic operation to maintain a running total.
3. Support your child during homework times, and if necessary, get them the additional help they may need so that the one hour of homework is active, productive, and rewarding.

Think Tutoring offers homework support in many Math areas including basic math, word problems, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Trigonometry.  Call us at 973-593-0050 for an appointment today.