Schlander Verner
Computers and Mathematics
Computers have brought about tremendous changes in today’s classroom. These
Changes include mathematics. Computers have changed complex mathematics and made
it a simple task. A student can take a small classroom task and expand it into several
different forms using the computer. For example, a teacher may ask a student “what
happens to y=ax2+bx+c when a, b, and c vary” (Borba, 1993, p333)? The student can try
several different options using the computer. If the student was figuring the equation on
paper, he or she would use a one step solution. Algebra was considered natural in
classrooms until recently. Many authors believe that different representation in software
gives students a choice of which representation to use. They could choose from different
representations such as graphs, tables, algebra and so on. Computers do not only advance
mathematic opportunities for students they also create challenges for educators. Some
authors believe that computers in the classroom bring about a loss of control by the
teachers. The advance technology of computers can put a teacher in a compromising
position. This advance technology forces students to ask questions that the teacher may
not be able to answer. It is not natural for a teacher to answer a student’s question with “I
don’t know” (Borba, 1993, p334). Authors suggest that teachers become more educated
in computers and adjust to the possibility of not knowing all the answers. Authors also
believe that the school board should be made aware that teachers’ not knowing is not
unreasonable. Computers can also put students in compromising positions. The computer
may give the students multiple answers to one question. This may confuse the students.
Computers in the class also require that the students be familiar with different software.
Schlander Verner
Although computers in the classroom can be a great advantage for students, I believe that
there is nothing more important than teacher to student interaction. I think it is very
important to sit down and discuss education problems face to face with teachers. I
support computers in the class room to a certain degree. Computers can provide students
with great knowledge and capabilities. On the other hand computers in the classroom
may allow the student to take an easy way out. For example, I am a student and I use the
computer to answer difficult questions instead of reading assignments to find the answer.
If the computer was not available, I would read the assignment and find the answers.
Reading the assignment will allow me to learn more than just the answer to my questions.
A student may think why the assignment read or solve the math problem when the
answer is on the computer. This is the kind of thinking that educators need to change.
Although computers are a great advancement, I stand firm on student and teacher
interaction. A computer may be able to encourage a student; however, it can not replace
seeing the expression on a teacher’s face when he or she tells a student they have done a
great job. Computers are exciting and a lot of fun, but seeing a teacher’s proud face is
what I thrive on. I am sure many students feel the same. So enclosing, I will say to
integrate computers in the classroom but do not away the student and teacher interaction.
In other words, we should not allow computers to take over the classroom as a whole.
Barbo, M. C. (1995). Teaching mathematics: Computers in the classroom. Clearing
House 68, (6), 333-334.