CALCULATORS IN THE CLASSROOM

Our children live in the world full of various gadgets, which can do all arithmetic operations and much more: mobiles, computers, simple four operation calculators and other calculators with more sophisticated options These calculation tools are easy available and influence the style of young generation. Eg. they cannot function in today's world without mobiles. Keyboards are in their environment for good. The simplest four operation calculator costs in Poland as much as a simple bus ticket. It is not natural to deny access to them in school. In our school trials, we were trying to use calculators right from the early stages in school. This requires some way of keeping records of such calculations, and developing sound semantical feeling for numbers, their representation on the number line, and some degree of readiness for discovery of what a given calculator that children have right in hand can do. Calculators enable one to interpret fiscal notes from the shop. Without them such calculations are time consuming and boring. The individual method of mental calculation can be checked using calculators, which makes work with number a pleasurable play.
On the other hand the wrong attitude toward calculators in school makes some teachers not interested in exploring their possibilities. Eg. many teachers in Poland do not know what happens when they repeat pressing "equals" sign on the simplest 4 operation calculator. According to our observation calculators are very good tool for many handicapped children, provided that we give them special attention and individual treatment.