Monograph No. 5: Calculators in the Classroom
November 1977
Publication of the Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association
114 – 118
PROGRAMMABLE CALCULATORS AND MINI-COMPUTERS IN HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS: A SURVEY OF POSSIBILITIES
Evert Karman and Irwin J. Hoffman
The value of a large-scale computer, complete with time-sharing terminals, in teaching high school mathematics in a large metropolitan school district has been proven. A computer has a twofold educational value: (1) Computer programming requires rigorous logical and mathematical thinking, and provides an arena in which mathematical abstractions become very concrete indeed; and (2) properly channeled, the motivation and enthusiasm generated by a successful response from a computer can greatly accelerate a student’s mathematical growth.