Calculators versus mental computation

1. Objective 4: Give examples of appropriate (and not so appropriate) calculator related activities for primary mathematics, and specify what is (or is not achieved) with particular activities. Calculators versus mental computation Class divided into pairs. One has calculator, the other student uses mental computation. Give computation problems, have them both solve problem and raise hand when finished. Compare which was quicker. Wipeout This is a good activity for place value instruction. One student puts in a two digit number for another students (more digits or decimal places can be used for higher grades). The student then asks the child to ‘Wipeout’ one number. This could be a 1 or 10 place value. The student then has to decide what they would need to make the new number. ie. 25 is put into the calculator. The student is then told to wipeout the ‘2’. The student has to know that place value is 20 and minuses the 20 to leave 5. Predictability Work in pairs. One has the calculator. Get the other student to count for example by 5’s (or any number). The one with the calculator can check the answers on the calculator. This can be used by any age of student using any number