1. The calculator as a teaching tool

2. 11
111
1111
11111
111111
121
1221
12221
1221

3. This session we will explore the use of calculators as a teaching tool across the primary age range, and reflect on strategies for ensuring that all primary children have the opportunity to use this brilliant tool.

4. What are the barriers to calculators being used regularly in every mathematics classroom?
It’s cheating
Its only for hard sums
Price
Where do calculators sit in the bigger picture of calculation
Objective led
No confidence in the children making choices
Lack of knowledge of the power/value

5. Identify the key mathematical skills What is the role of the calculator?

6. What other activities do you know of this type, which use the calculator as a tool in the same way?

7. 2 6 + - x ÷ = 12 10 102 32 19 You earn £1 per key press
If you have more than 10 key presses, you earn nothing
Find a way to earn the maximum for getting each of these numbers as answers

8. Identify the key mathematical skills What is the role of the calculator?

9. What other activities do you know of this type, which use the calculator as a tool in the same way?

10. Cut a strip of paper which is exactly the length of your hand-span
Measure it exactly
Cut a piece of string the same length as your partner’s height
Use the hand-span only, to determine your partner’s height.

11. Is this OK for recording?

12. Identify the key mathematical skills What is the role of the calculator?

13. What other activities do you know of this type, which use the calculator as a tool in the same way?

14. What did I do? Take turns Player 1:
Put any number in the calculator - tell your partner
Multiply or divide that number by 10 or don’t tell your partner what you do
Tell your partner the answer
Player 2:
Try to figure out what your partner did.
Score 1 point if you do it with a calculator
Score 2 points if you do it without

15. Modifying the task
For simpler ideas… For more complex ideas…

16. Identify the key mathematical skills What is the role of the calculator?

17. What other activities do you know of this type, which use the calculator as a tool in the same way?