Computation



According to PBS in Misunderstood Minds, "Many students, despite a good understanding of mathematical concepts, are inconsistent at computing. They make errors because they misread signs or carry numbers incorrectly, or may not write numerals clearly enough or in the correct column. These students often struggle, especially in primary school, where basic computation and "right answers" are stressed. Often they end up in remedial classes, even though they might have a high level of potential for higher-level mathematical thinking." The PBS observation unfortunately is often times true. As educators, how can we prevent students from being placed unnecessarily in remedial classes? How can we address their need, and help our students to become computational proficient? Technology offers us possible solutions to these questions. The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) is a website design to help/enhance students' conceptual understanding of mathematics. Virtual manipulatives provide students with pictorial representations of math computations which assists the learner in deriving the answer. In addition, the manipulatives help students with learning disabilities learn the algorithm through a concrete understanding instead of an abstract one. NLVM offers manipulatives for grades PK-high school. The link below is PK-2. [|National Library of Virtual Manipulatives] Topmarks Interactive Whiteboard Resources recommend the use of whiteboards for their interactive and engaging activities. Whiteboard resources offers games, number lines, one and tens blocks, and others interactive opportunities for students to master basic computations. A whiteboard is not required to use the resources on the website. [|Interactive Whiteboard Resources] For students who experience a problem with number alignment, Number Navigators will be useful. This mathematical software enables children to enter the numbers using the keyboard into grid locations on the screen. All four computations can be done in this program. [|Number Navigator]