New York College Learning Skills Association

RTDE Issue Contents

Research and Teaching
in Developmental Education

Volume 19, Issue 1, Fall 2002

The Effect of Calculator Usage in the Learning of Basic Skills
By Selina Vasquez and Terence W. McCabe, Southwest Texas State University

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of calculator usage in the learning of basic skills by developmental mathematics students with respect to increasing mathematical performance as measured by a “no calculator permitted” content-specific test. Both quantitative and qualitative data for three lessons: (a) integer addition and subtraction, (b) equivalent fractions, and (c) scientific notation were collected and analyzed for four calculator treatments: (a) graphing, (b) four-function, (c) optional, and (d) none. The results showed that calculator usage neither positively nor negatively affected the attainment of basic skills.