AboutJames J. Kovalcin Expertise I am teaching or have taught AP physics B and C [calculus based mechanics & electricity and magnetism] as well as Lab Physics for college bound students. I have a BS in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Arts in Teaching from same. I have been teaching physics for 27 years.
Question should we teach math skills or computer/calculator skills in the classroom? what would you say would be the benefits and downfalls of each?
Answer The answer depends upon your goals! If your goal is to prepare students for a required standardized math skills test then you probably need to spend time on math skills. If, on the other hand, you are preparing the students for an evaluation of their ability to use technology, then you need to spend time on computers and calculators.
The irony is that neither of these two goals has been demonstrated to be achievable by direct instruction.
In addition, the research has also shown that neither of these two goals goes very far in teaching students "math sense".
