However, that is a typing skill, not a mathematical skill, and it should not be taught during valuable mathematics time. Encouraging young children to depend on calculators for simple things like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts is bad practice. Calculators are tools designed to do tasks that take too much time using paper and pencil, but their use by pupils probably should be delayed until arithmetic involving decimals and percent. Parents have also complained about a lack of mathematics textbooks in their schools. Without such textbooks school learning experiences depend on ideas from recent faddists rather than a carefully organized mathematics program.
Parents expect homework in textbooks that they can, if they wish, examine.
During these times of tight budgets, school boards may be tempted to transfer funds designated for textbook purchases to an account for upgrading technology. Please do not make this mistake. Basic mathematics textbooks are important learning aids. Technology is important in our era, but should deserve its own place in the school district budget and not siphon funds from other budget items. This also applies to the apportionment of school time for learning important subjects such as mathematics.