Reflections, week 12
Graphics calculators seem to undo half of my high school learning with their ability to process algebra, solve quadratic equations and graph complex lines, all of which I studiously learnt to do by hand. Although some time is required to learn how to program them, I think mistakes in input are more easily noted, and the result it students should be in a stronger mathematical position. I think if learning to use the calculator was integrated into the entire high school learning, students would have a powerful tool which could aide in their understanding and give instant feedback to their understanding on the page. The pedagogical downfall that in an already very procedural state testing system that students will focus only on procedure and as with any and all technology it would be needed to integrate with other mediums and methods of understanding.
Programming the calculators is one aspect that has shows the calculators two sides. It could give students a deeper understanding of computers and programs and the maths they are doing, but they can just as easily turn into a confused and stalemated problem with lots of buttons to press in an exact and unforgiving order.
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