When tutoring in math, should I encourage patrons to use their calculators as infrequently as possible?

Question

I ask because sometimes they use them for things like multiplication tables, and should have to.

Dang it, I mean they "shouldn't have to". As in "not".

Answer 1

As a teacher myself, who often has to tutor students, I can tell you that I have them use their calculators where I feel it's appropriate. This is because it all depends on level they're doing.

Most often, I would guide the students to be able to set things up properly and then have them turn to their calculators to check their answers or do the crunching. This helps them because they'll learn how to put things into their proper format before simply turning to the calculator.

Point is, students today are extremely quick to turn to computers and calculators, but I feel it's important that they understand what's happening and why, rather than being able to simply punch buttons on a computer or calculator.

Answer 2

Definitely do not let them use calculators.

I used to tutor math. You can't imagine so of the far out answers people would come up with when using calculators. It is so easy to make a decimal error. In the workplace this would not be tolerated. For instance say something cost $100, but you only billed the client $10, how long do you think you'll have a job?

Furthermore a lot of math you can estimate in your head, especially if you know your mult. tables. Recently you hear people downplaying rote memorization, as if it's a bad thing.
When a athelete does a drill over and over in practice to become good for the game, is that a bad thing?

Answer 3

Developing number sense and true understanding of which functions to perform are key. They have to memorize the multiplication tables! The have to know the methods so well that the calculator is simply a matter of convenience in solving higher level problems.

Answer 4

Not unless they are in elementary school. By the time kids get to the 8th grade or so, calculators are almost a "must." How often do YOU do math (even balance your checkbook) without a calculator back up?

Answer 5

YES! If they don't know the basics, right off the top of their head, it will be very difficult to succeed in higher coursework. Encourage them to use the technology to check their work (plugging values back into the equation) and for when it is really tricky, such as division w/decimals and fractions. This will help them in the long run.

Answer 6

Unless it's trig or graph interpolation, the calculator should not be necessary as a primary source of calculation. To check manual work should be the main use of the calculator.

Answer 7

confident, I believe you. per what you stated approximately your define no longer requiring a calculator to remedy, maximum certainly. thinking they are able to apply a calculator to establish a word subject, that shows a diverse adverse style. additionally you stated you're an instructor in a nicely oftentimes going on college, so it makes a individual ask your self why 0.5 of the scholars on your algebra classification are based on their calculators. whilst i replaced into in trigonometry these days, I heard the comparable criticism from the different pupils. They needed to grant an approximate answer, and that they actually sniveled approximately having to place it in precise values. One individual interior the class replaced into an older guy who replaced into already working in an electric interest. He instructed all of us that no person makes use of the precise values in genuine life artwork, and he and the instructor have been given into arguments approximately employing the calculator for all solutions. the instructor needed him to appreciate the educational value of precise values, and that guy in basic terms felt he knew extra effective than the instructor. I questioned why he did no longer in basic terms bypass away the class if he felt like he knew all of it as long as he used a calculator.

Answer 8

If the problems can be solved without the use of calculators then they should be, especially when teaching. Calculators should only be used to check answers not to answer them. The only way you learn is to commit the little steps to memory....

Answer 9

have them exhibit they can do muliplication manually, Example 721 X 37

Then if you do not see a deficiency they can use calculator but encourage fundamental in case someday they are lost in the woods without a calculator and have to do math.