Jean in Wisc Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 My son is taking College Math at the university, and his prof does not let them use a calculator for any of their work. Is this normal? He's been spending hours figuring problems out--8 to the power of 6 or other types of time-consuming calculations. I'm sure the prof just wants the students to know what they are doing rather than knowing how to use a calculator. I was just wondering if anyone here knew if this is common at the university level. Thanks. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 My kids have not been allowed their calculators for calculus 1, 2, or 3. They WERE allowed their calculators for statistics, thankfully. And ds was allowed his calculator for linear algebra. My son is taking a math class this semester -- it's got a strange name -- and the prof wisely divided all the exams into two sections. One is an in-class section done w/o calculators; one is a take-home section where they can not only use calculators but Maple!!!!! Work that is to be done without calculators has to be designed carefully enough that the kids don't spend all their time doing silly menial calculations. It doesn't sound like your son's prof has done this. That's too bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 I thought that I had heard that many college profs make them do it manually, but I thought that I should ask. My son (who is taking the class) is just plugging along and doing it, but my dd was outraged at the idea. Thought I'd ask. Thanks! Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in WA Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 My son is taking College Math at the university, and his prof does not let them use a calculator for any of their work. Is this normal?It's common. I don't understand the point, though, of including the kinds of calculations you describe in a calculator-free class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 is the rule at my son's school as well. I think that a lot of schools have started having this rule now that you can buy a basic desktop calculator that can do derivatives and integrals symbolically. This no-calculator rule has been a real eye-opener for my son, too, but I think it's a good idea. Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in WA Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Our sons, who had barely touched a calculator all the way through high school, had no problem with this situation. Not so their fellow students who were calculator-dependent ps graduates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Dd#1 took Intermediate Alg. & College Alg.--both allowed caculators (same one as the ACT), but the other prof. that taught them, didn't allow them. Made her prof. VERY popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted September 12, 2009 Author Share Posted September 12, 2009 J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 but wider talking to folks experience....it varies wildly from school to school. I can see the benefits of both ways of doing things. I think the idea of certain parts being calculator free but other parts including both the power of the calculator and Maple makes the most sense. I think that matches up to reality a whole lot more. Our son asked his student mentors about what to bring calculator wise as we have both Ti-84 plus Silver an Ti-89....they said bring them both and you'll probably use the 89 most of the time.... Bummer for me...I had grown found of the 89. But, they also are supposed to down load a bunch of math programs for the engineering series. I don't really remember all components... Jean...I feel sorry for your ds...that sounds a bit ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in WA Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 He's been spending hours figuring problems out--8 to the power of 6 or other types of time-consuming calculations.Jean, I have a thought...is it possible that your son is misunderstanding the professor? Might he be allowed to use a simple scientific calculator, just not a graphing one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted September 13, 2009 Author Share Posted September 13, 2009 Jean, I have a thought...is it possible that your son is misunderstanding the professor? Might he be allowed to use a simple scientific calculator, just not a graphing one? No, I don't think so. She was really specific according to him. She gives them 2 hours for the tests instead of 50 minutes (normal class time) so that they have time to do calculations. :tongue_smilie: Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piano&ViolinMom Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 My kids have not been allowed their calculators for calculus 1, 2, or 3. They WERE allowed their calculators for statistics, thankfully. And ds was allowed his calculator for linear algebra. My son is taking a math class this semester -- it's got a strange name -- and the prof wisely divided all the exams into two sections. One is an in-class section done w/o calculators; one is a take-home section where they can not only use calculators but Maple!!!!! We do not expect 1st graders to do their math homework of 'adding/subtracting' using calculator. With the same reason, you can not do at least certain portion of calculus using calculator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piano&ViolinMom Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I think that a lot of schools have started having this rule now that you can buy a basic desktop calculator that can do derivatives and integrals symbolically. Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tullia Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Interesting...the only restriction my son has found so far is that graphing calculators are not allowed for chemistry exams but simple scientific calculators are allowed. Math courses which involve use of graphing calculators specify TI 83 or 84. Ds's experience so far is that it's ok to use something else, but you can't rely on the instructor's help in using the calculator. All the calculus courses listed in the catalog specify that a graphing calculator will be used. IMO, a no-calculator rule would be just fine, but at my house I was outvoted on that issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice H Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 http://www.uiowa.edu/~examserv/mathmatters/calculator_parents.html Interesting thread. This brief article, "A Word About Calculators" mentions that many colleges do not allow graphing calc’s. A survey I found months ago when googling the topic said graphing calc were used in 61% of calculus classes. Perhaps a more recent survey will show a lower percentage of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest haeveingridseyn Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 hi guys, I hate the maths. I like the literature. But I have to study it. So, how can I improve my attention to the maths? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 hi guys, I hate the maths. I like the literature. But I have to study it. So, how can I improve my attention to the maths? Are you in high school or college or ? If in college, I've recommended to my son that he go to the math helps center on campus to do all of his math homework. This way they will be able to answer all his questions on the spot. Just one idea. Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 My sons like to listen to music while they do their math. They enjoy it more that way. Doing it someplace with no distractions helps, too. Sometimes they sit in the car. They tell themselves to stay there until the assignment is done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest haeveingridseyn Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Are you in high school or college or ? If in college, I've recommended to my son that he go to the math helps center on campus to do all of his math homework. This way they will be able to answer all his questions on the spot. Just one idea. Jean Thanks.......!!:iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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