Discussion Blog
G
Handheld
Calculators
I can understand
why the educators are in a debate over calculators. In school I was not allow
to use
a calculator. It would have been helpful because I was a poor math student. Today, not so much
with the help of the calculator. Having a calculator in the fourth grade would have been a dream come
true. I do agree with the educators; “calculators must not substitute for students mastering basic math
facts and operations”. Balanced instructional approach is recommended by The National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics and I agree, there is a need for balance. Students should be taught pencil to
paper to get a better understanding of the steps in solving problems that need to be worked out. The
calculator can be used in checking to see if the problem is correct. However, knowing how to check
it with paper and pencil should also be taught. I think students still need to know the steps that
need to be taken in solving a problem. Let me ask you this question, have you ever had to make your
own change because the cashier did not know how? (Because the machine was out and was
not telling them how much change to give back.) I have, and this is a good example that balance is
needed (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 257, 259).
a calculator. It would have been helpful because I was a poor math student. Today, not so much
with the help of the calculator. Having a calculator in the fourth grade would have been a dream come
true. I do agree with the educators; “calculators must not substitute for students mastering basic math
facts and operations”. Balanced instructional approach is recommended by The National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics and I agree, there is a need for balance. Students should be taught pencil to
paper to get a better understanding of the steps in solving problems that need to be worked out. The
calculator can be used in checking to see if the problem is correct. However, knowing how to check
it with paper and pencil should also be taught. I think students still need to know the steps that
need to be taken in solving a problem. Let me ask you this question, have you ever had to make your
own change because the cashier did not know how? (Because the machine was out and was
not telling them how much change to give back.) I have, and this is a good example that balance is
needed (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 257, 259).
Advantages and
Disadvantages of Storybooks.
Some educators agree
and some do not agree on the usefulness of electronic storybooks for
young readers. Both make some good points on the advantages and disadvantages. The point
is, getting children interested in reading. I know of no child who does not like to be read too.
Again, there is a need for balance. Phonics, and learning how to decode written words are important
for a young reader to become a successful reader and speller. How much is too much with interactive
storybooks? There is no doubt the visual and audio will appeal to students but could this override
the mental images of the story the reader could experience by reading a book. Each teacher will
make the choice of how much they use electronic storybooks, if any. I think a lot will depend on the
teacher and what works for the class (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 262-263).
young readers. Both make some good points on the advantages and disadvantages. The point
is, getting children interested in reading. I know of no child who does not like to be read too.
Again, there is a need for balance. Phonics, and learning how to decode written words are important
for a young reader to become a successful reader and speller. How much is too much with interactive
storybooks? There is no doubt the visual and audio will appeal to students but could this override
the mental images of the story the reader could experience by reading a book. Each teacher will
make the choice of how much they use electronic storybooks, if any. I think a lot will depend on the
teacher and what works for the class (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 262-263).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvDfO5_Sdlc
Electronic
Spellers and Dictionaries
Beginning
readers, poor spellers, hearing impaired and deaf students can all benefit from
the
electronic spellers and dictionaries. Once again, there is a debate on the usage of the electronic
spellers. Some educators and parents think the technology will prevent students from learning how to
spell. Other educators think the assistive technology is a valuable tool. I am sure most students as I
do, feel that spell check is a valuable tool. Some students and adults are poor spellers and can use all
the help they can get. What I find most interesting about this technology is the fact the electronic
speller offers a list of possible spelling words for the misspelled word. Each word on the list is
pronounced for identification of the correct word the person is looking for. This can be helpful for
words that are similar in spelling (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 255-256).
electronic spellers and dictionaries. Once again, there is a debate on the usage of the electronic
spellers. Some educators and parents think the technology will prevent students from learning how to
spell. Other educators think the assistive technology is a valuable tool. I am sure most students as I
do, feel that spell check is a valuable tool. Some students and adults are poor spellers and can use all
the help they can get. What I find most interesting about this technology is the fact the electronic
speller offers a list of possible spelling words for the misspelled word. Each word on the list is
pronounced for identification of the correct word the person is looking for. This can be helpful for
words that are similar in spelling (Maloy, Verock-O’Loughlin, Edward, 2013, pp. 255-256).
Maloy, Robert,
Verock-O’Laughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edward, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park
(2013). Transforming Learning with New
Technologies, 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
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