The Bad and the Ugly #3

This one is as old as the hills but also brand new - just spotted it trolled out when the Guardian picked up on an OFSTED report on mathematics.

Here's the bit that got me all fired up...

"A recent Ofsted report on maths, which looked at 20 successful primary schools, found most only introduced calculators in the later stages of primary schooling, and then only for checking answers for calculations carried out without them."

I'll say that last bit again: "...only for checking answers for calculations carried out without them"

Yes, it's the old Checking Answers conundrum; here given weight because it's come via OFSTED and seems somehow related to 'Successful Schools'.

So, what's the message when children use calculators "only for checking answers for calculations carried out without them"? The message is: "my calculations aren't good enough - I need to check them - and I need to use technology to help me with that."

"My own calculations aren't to be trusted..." now, that's a useful way to engender self-confidence and enjoyment of maths skills... no?

What if the calculator agrees with the answer? Well, well done... but that was a waste of time, wasn't it, because they got it right in the first place.

What if the calculator seems to say the child's own calculation is wrong? Well, most children immediately change their own result... of course, that original result may well have been the right answer - the mistake could have been made when they used the calculator. Especially if they have had limited experience of using it!

If we are going to ask children to Check Answers, then let's encourage them to rely on their own developing understanding of mathematics: what about estimating; what about using a different calculation strategy; what about using an inverse operation; what about working with a friend to check each others calculation (hey, we could even talk together about the strategy we used)?

If we are using a calculator, then let's do some meaningful exploration of number patterns, or problem solving, or working with numbers that would be impractical with mental (or pencil and paper) methods.

Please, let's not just Check Answers!

In truth, of course, those Successful Schools OFSTED reports on do more than the Guardian newspaper would have us believe... they even let young children play with calculators as part of role play; here's the Ofsted Report on Best Practice in Early Arithmetic. [ofsted.gov.uk]

And (for completeness) here's the Guardian's article on calculators. [theguardian, 1st Dec 2011]

If you've spotted anything that is erroneous and annoying feel free to moan about it in the comment box below. I'd love to hear your thoughts.