Using Calculators in Primary Mathematics? Why Not?

Abstract

Computers have become an integral part of everyday life in the last few years. Almost every child has one ?in form of microchips which are in every day appliances such as cell phones, and even in key-rings ?How about using calculators for doing (teaching, learning) primary mathematics? Should we forbid the use of calculators at the primary level or should we allow their use and even explicitly make them a teaching tool in mathematics classes? Is there a middle way? What are the benefits and advantages - and which are the weaknesses and disadvantages of the use of calculators in primary mathematics classes? How to make a calculator to be a good teaching tool also at primary level? If we allow calculators, then the question arises, how to convince primary grade pupils (and their parents!) about the inevitability of learning the basics about numbers and operations, despite the fact that they could use calculators? Is it still important to learn/teach ?ead and hand calculations? Are there any criteria which make a calculator appropriate or non-appropriate for primary grades of mathematics teaching? How can we recognize a "good calculator" and how should we use them for teaching mathematics at primary level? A large number of questions arise, when we think about using calculators in primary mathematics. These are the questions we will discuss in the presentation in addition to looking at appropriate classroom examples.