Advice needed:
Here is my question: Is there a place for the calculator in math?
Ok. I know that when you get into the higher High School math levels, a calculator is a must, but my question goes more towards the lower Jr. High level.
Here is my dilemma...or my daughter's dilemma. Math is her weakest subject. She can do it, but it can often times overwhelm her and she will shut down. Matt thinks there is nothing wrong with her using her calculator in some capacity. I waiver on this issue. I see the value in working out the problems. But, the issue can often be that in some problems the act of working out problems can become so overwhelming, that she loses sight of what she needs to come up with.
Here is an example. She needs to come up with the lcm (lowest common multiplier) of a given set of numbers. She begins the tedious task of multiplying each number by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and so on until she finally reaches the number that matches. When the starting numbers are numbers like 13 and 24 (for example), this can go on for a long time and she gets more and more frustrated.
Yes, I know that it is good for her, technically, to work out each of these problems until she reaches a match...but I also know that math is not part of her future. Oh, she will need math skills, but I just wonder if the lesson (getting to that lcm) gets lost in her frustration. So often, she forgets so many of the simplest things because she immediately begins to shut down at the task ahead. If she had the ability to use her calculator, I think she would be better focused on figuring out how to solve the problem.
So, that's my question. At this level, is there a place for using a calculator? If the problems she is faced with is long division, than obviously a calculator should not be used...or should be used in limited capacity. Should the student be considered in that decision? I.e. a student like Daniel where math is easy for him and he finds it fun to figure out...not an option. A student like Sierra, though, that struggles and gets easily frustrated...maybe so?
Please leave answers in comment section for others to gain knowledge!
Here is my question: Is there a place for the calculator in math?
Ok. I know that when you get into the higher High School math levels, a calculator is a must, but my question goes more towards the lower Jr. High level.
Here is my dilemma...or my daughter's dilemma. Math is her weakest subject. She can do it, but it can often times overwhelm her and she will shut down. Matt thinks there is nothing wrong with her using her calculator in some capacity. I waiver on this issue. I see the value in working out the problems. But, the issue can often be that in some problems the act of working out problems can become so overwhelming, that she loses sight of what she needs to come up with.
Here is an example. She needs to come up with the lcm (lowest common multiplier) of a given set of numbers. She begins the tedious task of multiplying each number by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and so on until she finally reaches the number that matches. When the starting numbers are numbers like 13 and 24 (for example), this can go on for a long time and she gets more and more frustrated.
Yes, I know that it is good for her, technically, to work out each of these problems until she reaches a match...but I also know that math is not part of her future. Oh, she will need math skills, but I just wonder if the lesson (getting to that lcm) gets lost in her frustration. So often, she forgets so many of the simplest things because she immediately begins to shut down at the task ahead. If she had the ability to use her calculator, I think she would be better focused on figuring out how to solve the problem.
So, that's my question. At this level, is there a place for using a calculator? If the problems she is faced with is long division, than obviously a calculator should not be used...or should be used in limited capacity. Should the student be considered in that decision? I.e. a student like Daniel where math is easy for him and he finds it fun to figure out...not an option. A student like Sierra, though, that struggles and gets easily frustrated...maybe so?
Please leave answers in comment section for others to gain knowledge!
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