IPPN

Published: 24 April 2009

Source: independent.ie

By John Walshe Education Editor

Friday April 24 2009

The commonly held view that the use of calculators makes students worse at maths has been exposed as a myth.

Far from having a harmful effect, access to calculators has actually improved performance on more complex mathematical concepts and skills and on problem solving. Performance in these areas is still not up to top international levels but is better than it was.

Calculators were introduced into the revised Junior Cert maths syllabus in 2000 and used in exams for the first time in 2003. A team of researchers has been studying the effects of the use of calculators for the past few years.

The researchers -- Sean Close, Elizabeth Oldham, Paul Surgenor, Gerry Shiel, Therese Dooley, and Michael O'Leary -- were drawn from St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Trinity College Dublin, and the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra. The final report of phase two of their project has just been published at www.erc.ie/publications.

The first tests consisted of questions where the use of calculators was inappropriate, the second where they were optional and the third where they were appropriate.

For the test of questions for which calculator use is considered optional, the students were divided randomly into two groups. One group did the test with calculators and the other group did the test without calculators. In both years, the students with calculators did significantly better.

"Indeed, the difference in favour of the calculator group increased between 2001 and 2004, indicating that the students were able to use calculators more effectively in 2004" said Gerry Shiel from the Educational Research Centre.

"The results on the third test, containing questions requiring more higher order thinking and problem-solving skills, showed a significant improvement, but were still worryingly low, particularly in the area of applied arithmetic and measure," he said.

Results

"Interestingly, when students' test results were correlated with the level of Junior Certificate mathematics examinations taken, it emerged that Ordinary Level students who had access to calculators on the second test scored as highly as the Higher Level students who did not have access to calculators on the test," he added.

Questionnaires were also given to students and teachers. According to teachers, calculator use saved time, improved accuracy, made it easier to teach certain topics and gave confidence to weaker pupils.

However, teachers also pointed to some disadvantages, including missing or broken calculators, over-reliance on calculators, and a perceived decline in numeracy.

- John Walshe Education Editor