Should students be able to do math with a paper and pencil before being allowed to use technology (i.e. calculators, computers, graphing software, etc.)?
Viewpoint 1
Teaching paper and pencil math helps to provide the foundation for learning the process and what to expect when using technology.
Viewpoint 2
The concept is what matters most. Using a paper and pencil vs. a computer/calculator does not guarantee that students will understand the concept. It is not necessarily the tool of choice that is the concern, rather how it is used. If students are using the technology to demonstrate an understanding of a concept, then using one before the other should not make a difference. However, educators should be careful to use technology to advance thinking and learning and not just to find an answer.
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