Math class & calculators: the next PB&J

It doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it? Regardless, this seems to be our unfortunate truth. Math classes are now next to impossible to operate without the regular (or excessive) use of students' calculators.

As the legendary, Big Shaq so eloquently told us in his musical composition, "Mans Not Hot"... "Two plus two is four, minus one that's three, quick maths", the age of mental math is nearly dead. Though we do know with certainty that 2+2=4-1=3. Thank goodness for that. I gotta give it to Big Shaq, though...a lot of people would have needed a calculator for that.

As much as we wish it weren't the case, calculators are becoming a "must-have" for any age of student. Teaching the skill of mental math just doesn't have the same urgency as it did 10, 20 years ago.. Students are now taught to simply rely on their calculators to compute simple mathematical equations... and I'm impartial to admit that I am one of the teachers who lean towards the calculator.

I'm impartial for a reason! I'm not usually a fence sitter!

I would love to be able to go about my lessons, assignments, quizzes, and exams with the expectation that calculators are to be used ONLY on certain (required) questions! I really would! At the same time, I would also really love to have my students pass my class...and the harsh reality is that if they don't have calculators to help them at every waking mathematical moment...they would, without doubt...fail.

Now that I'm a substitute teacher, I've seen several math classes, and there are still a few out there that have "No Calculator" questions on student work. The sad part is, those questions are always the questions they struggle with the most. As a result of this feeling of unknown and confusion, students will try to use their phones (here are some stellar calculator apps, BTW), in hiding, to answer those questions. Boom. Cheating.

That's not fair.

This student knows every aspect of what needs to be done, but because they missed out on the ability/skill of mental math...they are being punished.

If this student knows 99.9% of a problem and completely understands the concept, why the hell are we taking away the tool to get them to the finish?!

We wouldn't take away a calculator from an accountant, would we? They know how to do their job, but it's sure a lot easier to do if they don't need to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in their heads! They are not expected to do that kind of math in their heads, and it's essentially the easiest math there is. They need a calculator to do their job.

Students now need calculators to do their jobs.

It actually surprises me when one of my students does mental math in front of me and/or the class. It really is a shock to see that the skill is not completely lost.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I use my calculator on a VERY regular basis in the middle of a lesson. I've never been comfortable adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing (what some would call) simple numbers. It just takes me a lot longer to map things out in my head and come to a conclusion.

That doesn't make me stupid. I still know exactly what I'm doing; it just takes me longer to get there if I don't have the use of a device. I try to practice the skill somewhat regularly, but when it comes down to brass tacks...I'm reaching for my trusty calculator simply because I'm not confident in what my crazy brain may come up with.

Just the other day I was in a supported (low level) grade 9 math class. A boy was trying to figure out what 15 x 6 was. He refused to use a calculator. He worked on that one equation for 2 minutes in front of me...speaking what he was thinking in his head..."Okay, 15, 30, 45, 50, 70....is it 70?" This (or something similar) went on for a while, until I just brought him a calculator. I could see the defeat in his eyes. I tried to prod him though and give him cues as to what to do after he got to 30, but nothing was working.

His brain couldn't do what he wanted it to do for him. The calculator could.

Often when I teach, students will make comments about my use of the device. I have a similar response each time this occurs. It goes a little something like...

"Calculators are here to help. If I didn't have one, we would be here all day. That doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing... You're learning, aren't you?"

Or something along those lines...anything to tell them that if their math teacher uses one, it's more than okay for them to use it...whenever. No exceptions.

Honestly, I'm lost for another option. I'm a high school teacher. How do you find the time to teach 14-18 year-olds to do "simple math"? Seriously! I would love to, but I just don't think it's realistic. The expectation we put on kids to do math in their heads just sets them up for failure.

Give them the damn calculator and let's move on to bigger and better things.

You got dis. I believe in you. You're all Rock-stars and Legends and I love you.​

#calculators #mathematics #Math #teaching #teacher