Classroom experience indicates that young children take a commonsense view about calculators and recognize the importance of not relying on them when it is more appropriate to compute in other ways. Calculators also highlight the importance of teaching children to recognize whether computed results are reasonable. The power of computers also needs to be used in contemporary mathematics programs. Computer languages that are geometric in nature help young children become familiar with important geometric ideas. Computer simulations of mathematical ideas, such as modeling the renaming of numbers, are an important aid in helping children identify the key features of the mathematics.
Many software programs provide interesting problem-solving situations and applications.
The thoughtful and creative use of technology can greatly improve both the quality of the curriculum and the quality of children's learning. Integrating calculators and computers into school mathematics programs is critical in meeting the goals of a redefined curriculum.