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We never have time to meet. Sure -- we have email, but then we have to forward copies of any meaningful discussions to everybody so they can comment and forward to everybody again... I'm sure you see the problem. Think of this as an ongoing department meeting where RESPECTFUL and COURTEOUS discussion can occur.
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6 comments:
For the amount of money we've sent over the years for Calculator. We could have given each student one by now! Assign each student a calculator like you do a book. Lost or damaged money should go back to buy a replacement instead of a general fund ... (never to be seen again). If the Math department had its own calculator account it would only need minimal maintenance money to keep it afloat. Instead of huge purchases every couple of years. Ron K
Andy is very much aware of the general fund issue. For those of you who don't know, the money collected for lost/damaged books and calculators does NOT currently come back to the department.
When I taught the 8th grade algebra 1, I was lucky enough to have only one class of it. I was able to assign a calculator to each student, at least to those who did not want to use (or have) one of their own. If a student had to replace a calculator, they either bought a new one of the exact same type, or they gave me the money and I bought a new one, returning any change. I encouraged the first method, since no money was handled. I did this because I knew the fine money never made it back to the department.
For my students, I have them read and sign a calulator agreement contract which states that they are responsible for the calculator for the school year and must pay for the loss or any damage done to the calculator. On the paper is their name, serial number of the calculator, their signature, and the date. I have been using this for many years now and have never had a problem. They students know that if anything happens to their calulators they must pay for it just as they do with any lost or damaged book.
I do agree that the money for lost or damaged calculators should go to the math department and not the general fund so that replacement calculators can be bought with the money.
I think that the calculator issue needs to be addressed by grade level. It does make sense for the older students, Algebra II and up, to be assigned their own calculator as if it were a book. However, I don't feel this is necessary for the classes below Algebra II. I have a bin for my calculators and my students know that they are not allowed to leave the classroom until all calculators have been returned. In the first couple of months of school, my students begin to take it upon themselves to check the bin to make sure all calculators have been returned. It's a system that has worked great for me in the years that I have been teaching. I have never lost a calculator, only some have broken, not by actions from the student. If you get the students in a routine from the beginning, even 7th grade students can be programmed.
I really think that common sense approaches like the ones previously suggested are on target. I'm struggling with the language of a calculator policy that won't be too restrictive for the people who do NOT need such a policy.
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