The Effects of Calculator Use in Certificate Examinations

SPCD Personnel: Sean Close, Therese Dooley, Michael O'Leary
Partners: SPCD, ERC, TCD
Duration: Two phases 1999-3; 2004-2005

Short description:

Early in 1999, the Research and Development Committee of the Department of Education and Science invited tenders for a research project on the effects of Calculators in Schools and in Certificate Examinations. In December 1999 funding was awarded to a consortium involving members of the Educational Research Centre and the Education Department, St. Patrick's College; and The School of Education, Trinity College.

Phase I covered the period when calculators were not a feature of the Junior Cycle Mathematics Programme and were not permitted in the Junior Certificate Mathematics Examination. Test instruments were developed to gather baseline achievement data on areas of Mathematics likely to be calculator sensitive.

In Phase II the same instruments will be used to measure the actual effects of calculator integration into the revised Junior Certificate Mathematics Syllabus and Examination.

Funding body: DES
Amount of funding: c. €60,000

 

 

Last Updated: Thursday September 21 2006