The detrimental effect of the above on maths education is well known, and it therefore requires an inventive solution:
A calculator into which one enters anything one would enter into normal (also scientific) calculators, but when the ‘=’ key is pressed nothing happens: The user must also enter a mental estimate, and if the calculator appraises the estimate as reasonable for the respective calculation – only then it shows the precise answer.
In classrooms where QAMA is the admissible calculator, students will no longer touch a calculator without using their heads too.
The name QAMA derives from Quick Approximate Mental Arithmetic, but QAMA also happens to be a word in Hebrew. It means:
“How Much?"
From the start, trials have produced phenomenal results - in estimation performance and, more importantly, understanding. Moreover, students actually enjoy the challenge and the success. |