ERIC Number: EJ1177870
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1029-8457
EISSN: N/A
Introducing Calculators to Learners Early in Their Schooling: The Effect on Long-Term Arithmetic Proficiency
Mogari, David; Faleye, Sunday
African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, v16 n3 p363-375 2012
There are opposing views about calculator use in school mathematics. This paper reports on a study that investigated the arithmetic proficiency of mathematics 1 university students and the effects of calculator usage at school level on their proficiency. The study followed a descriptive survey design involving the use of questionnaire and data collected from students' examination scripts and a static-group comparison design to determine the effect of introducing calculators early in schooling. The results showed that students who started using calculators in primary school performed significantly worse compared to others who were exposed to calculators later in the schooling. In addition, students who habitually used calculators tend to show a lower arithmetic proficiency than those who sometimes use calculators. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that students should first master number computations before they are introduced to the use of calculators.
Descriptors: Calculators, Arithmetic, Mathematics Skills, Use Studies, Questionnaires, Foreign Countries, College Freshmen, Statistical Analysis, Algebra
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A