Many schools/colleges are teaching mathematics on computers Do you agree or disagree with this?

Question

I to was tutoring at the college I went to. The first semester they started using computers, 50% dropped the class and the next year was not much better. The have now discontinued the program.

Shirly C- things have changed since then and I will not rephrase the question.

Answer 1

I completely understand why you ask. I am a middle school math teacher, and it is expected that technology is integrated in daily instruction either via computer (spreadsheet software or other software), graphing calculator, etc.

Each year this topic needs addressing because quite a few parents are just uncomfortable with their child learning math with something other than traditional methods.

I agree that computers can serve as a resource in the math classroom. It would be a disservice in this day and time not to. The burden is still on the teacher to provide adequate instruction resulting in mastery of skill and high levels of understanding. The math content is not different from the past, just the delivery methods and resources are not 21st century.

I find that when I have students whose parents are not "sold" on the concept that computers in the math classroom is good for their child, the child's performance in the class is compromised. The child develops the idea that the math course/teacher is not good and doesn't give much effort to doing well.

I don't know your background with this question? Are you taking a math course with computer support? or is it your children?

Either way, my advice is to not spend so much time questioning this instructional strategy. It is HIGHLY likely that the state course standards require instructors to integrate technology into the course. I also would like for anyone struggling with this topic to understand that the computer will never take the place of the teacher; it is just another tool in the teacher's belt to utilize to minimize misunderstanding and careless error and to maximize learning.

I can go on and on about this. My 8th grade algebra students attend computer lab twice a week. My 8th grade geometry students are required to purchase Geometer's Sketchpad and use it for hw assignments as expected by my state's course standards and the authors of their textbook.

Answer 2

The use of computers in teaching mathematics is OK if used as a tool and just one component of the overall instruction and learning process. But it cannot and should not replace a competent mathematics teacher.

I know, because I have tutored math for 5 years and have seen the shortcoming of computers in teaching math. They can be useful in determining where a student is weak and needs help, but only a teacher can adequately provide that help.

Answer 3

There are tools - say matlab - that will make work a lot easier, but most of the time those tools are useless if students don't know the theory behind whatever they are trying to solve.

I have never been taught a math course on a computer, so I don't know what it's like, but as long as students learn the theories, and know how to use the computer to help them solve the problems, they should be fine.

Answer 4

I took math courses in college in 1998 and 2001 and the professors did not use computers to teach mathematics. However, sample tests were available on computers.
That does not qualify me to state that "many schools/colleges are teaching mathematics on computers", but I think it might get you to think about rephrasing the question.
Perhaps getting a sample of answers to the following would be a more reliable survey:
Does your school/college allow teachers to use computers to teach mathematics?

Answer 5

It depends entirely on what sort of use of computers you're talking about.

The company I used to work for developed programs for teaching math that were VERY effective in enabling students to learn math by doing math.

The Geometer's Sketchpad and Fathom (and TinkerPlots for younger students).

With gsp, you construct geometrical objects, and, by manipulating them, you learn the concepts of geometry (and algebra, and calculus).

With Fathom and TinkerPlots, you work with data. By exploring data through graphs and other tools, you learn mathematical concepts, and statistics, and some probability.

Using data to understand math, makes the math much more obviously useful and meaningful.

These sorts of dynamic tools really make the math come alive, and allow students to discover important mathematical ideas, and internalize them.

Teachers that have used tools like these swear by them, as do their students.

If you're talking about computer-tutors, or test-taking practice, I see less value in these sorts of things.

Answer 6

I have never heard or seen a school teaching math on a computer. I would have to disagree with it because you can't work out a problem easily on a computer.

Answer 7

Agree. Most of us will have access to technology outside the classroom when this stuff needs to be applied; much better teach students to be efficient than to waste everyone's time with drills and memorization.

Answer 8

I have never been taught math on computer and I would not agree because on board test like Pcats, or Mcats they don't give you programs to solve it.