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The effect of calculator use on college students’ mathematical performance

  • Robert W. Boyle
    ,
  • Ingrid G. Farreras
  • Hood College
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 95-100 (6 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

International Journal of Research in Education and Science (Volume 1, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/01/2015

Publication status

Published - 01/01/2015

Publication IDs

  • Scopus: 85074344023

Abstract

This experiment tested the effect that calculator use had on 200 randomly assigned college students’ mathematical performance. The purposes of the current experiment were twofold: to measure the level of mathematical preparation of current college students, and to test whether calculators improve mathematical performance in such students as it does in precollege students. There was a significant difference in math performance between the two groups, with the calculator group outperforming the no-calculator group. The dozen demographic variables measured did not significantly predict performance. The improved mathematical improvement may not be due to calculators being easy but rather to the effect of learning experiences. Classroom policies concerning the use of calculators need to be evaluated and possibly changed.

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