Elementary school children are still learning to add, subtract, multiply and divide. But what has changed is how children are learning mathematics. Dr. Gabor Toth, chairman of the mathematics Department of Rutgers University-Camden, says technology meshed with creativity is what allows children to learn the basics and quickly move on to tougher mathematical concepts. With computers, colorful counting objects and other teaching aids, math now is something children can touch. Children must still memorize things like their multiplication tables, but they can use a computer to accelerate learning.
Computers are very visual and interactive - so are children.
A book just sits there. With a computer, a child can see shapes, numbers and all sorts of things to make the math problem seem concrete. Also, today's math teaches children that there's a reason for numbers - they can see that numbers allow them to build buildings or drive cars, Toth adds. Toth says objects known as manipulatives have helped children learn math. Manipulatives are individual counting devises made of plastic or wood that a small child can use to add or subtract.