Technology in Mathematics Classrooms :: Education School

Technology Views NCTM summarizes the technology principle by saying, â€Å"technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students’ learning.† I’m not sure that I agree with the entirety of this statement. Technology is important; it allows students to quickly make connections that would be lost without the speed and precision of computers. Technology also allows for thoughtless reproduction of facts already known. Imagine how long it would take to solve a college level mathematics problem without the aid of calculators for division, multiplication, exponents, and logarithms. Although I feel that technology is an important tool for enhancing mathematics, I feel that technology is replacing the foundation required for understanding mathematics. I am a firm believer that mathematics is more of an ability to solve problems than it is a solution to a given problem. Students must be required to think mathematically for themselves if they are to be successful at mathematics. All too often, math is reduced to formulas and specific ways of solving problems. I believe that meaning and reason are the two most important qualities of mathematics. Without these tools, mathematics may as well be left out of schools. I feel that it is vital for students to learn the â€Å"why† before they learn shortcuts. Imagine a test without calculators in a high school class. Most students would experience great difficulty in working with simple operations such as division. (Fractions may in fact be the work of Satan in the minds of some students). It is of the utmost importance for students to learn how to approach problems without the aid of technology. The great minds of the past did not have computers, calculators, or even chalk boards; yet, they were able to develop a world of reason that we call mathematics. If past scholars could do complex proofs without the aid of today’s technological advancements, I do not think it is nonsensical to expect a student of algebra to be able to graph a function with pencil and paper. Although many may feel I have focused on what is wrong with technology, they are mistaken. Technology itself is a good thing; it is only through poor instruction that technology becomes a vice. The most important word that NCTM uses to summarize its technology principle is â€Å"enhance.† Technology is meaningless without proper instruction, but with an excellent guide, the mathematical possibilities are endless. According to NCTM, â€Å"Students can learn more mathematics more deeply with the appropriate and responsible use of technology.† It is necessary for technology to be used appropriately and responsibly. Teachers cannot just give a student a calculator and