Maths myth busted as calculators aid school success

Research conducted by St Patrick's College, the Educational Research Centre, and Trinity College Dublin has just been published. A team of researchers has been studying the effects of the use of calculators for the past few years. Their final report of phase two of the project - The effects of calculator use on Mathematics in schools and in Certificate examinations - is available to download here.

Seán Close, Gerry Sheil, Therese Dooley and Michael O'Leary (all of St Patrick's College or the Educational Research Centre); together with Elizabeth Oldham and Paul Surgenor of Trinity College collaborated on this research.

The tests consisted of questions where the use of calculators was inappropriate, the second where they were optional and the third where they were appropriate. The students were divided randomly into two groups. One group did the test with calculators and the other without. Students with calculators did significantly better. As part of the research, questionnaires were also completed by students and teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Friday April 24 2009