Building student independence with ClassWiz calculators

With a new school year about to begin, many teachers will be looking ahead and thinking about how to make the best use of the various tools and resources available to them.

This blog explores how helping students build their confidence with a ClassWiz scientific calculator – and encouraging independent use of these devices can benefit learners of all abilities.

How calculators can foster independence

One effective way to get students using their calculator independently and experiencing its benefits first-hand is to show them what it can do and let them explore.

A good example of this is the Function key, which was introduced with the current ClassWiz scientific series. Students can store up to two functions – in the form f(x) or g(x) – and recall them by pressing the key and selecting the one they want.

This can help to save time and reduce the risk of manual input errors when they are working through multiple stages of a question involving the same functions.

Just as importantly, it can unlock new and more engaging ways to explore various concepts. This might include some of the more challenging topics on the GCSE maths curriculum, such as composite functions.

If, for example, students are told that f(x) = x² + 5 and g(x) = 2(5x – 8), and then asked to find f(g(4)), the Function key provides all the functionality they need to do that.

After defining f(x) and g(x) with the values provided, they can use the ClassWiz’s natural maths display to enter f(g(4)) exactly as it appears in the question, followed by EXE to get the solution, 581.

Simon May, our Principal Technology Trainer, noted: “The Function key provides an interesting way to investigate relationships between functions and get into topics like sequences and series.

“It’s a really nice feature that’s now available on all ClassWiz scientific calculators.”

As soon as they’re familiar with this functionality and how to apply it, students will be free to explore and experiment in any way they choose, learning and gaining independence with every operation they perform.

Inspiring creativity and critical thinking

One education expert we’ve had the pleasure of speaking to told us that, as well as encouraging independence, scientific calculators can help students think more creatively and critically about maths.

Joely Fashokun, a former secondary school teacher who now lectures in maths at the University of Brighton School of Education, said these devices are much more than just answer generators.

She pointed out that, rather than relying on a calculator to “do the thinking for them”, students can use their device to “ask probing questions” and check that their answers are reasonable.

Joely has created a set of five teacher worksheets that you can download from our website. Each resource specifies the appropriate ClassWiz calculator and learning level for the task in question. They also feature questions that encourage students to use their calculator to go deeper into the topic.

Introducing scientific calculators early in KS3

Regarding the question of when is the best time to start using scientific calculators, there’s a strong case for as early as possible in Key Stage 3.

Simon made the point that introducing these devices in year 7 helps to normalise their use and gives students plenty of time to learn and discover what they can do.

He also noted that, in schools that use class sets of calculators, students may be more likely to go away and buy the same handset for themselves, after seeing what it’s capable of. They can then use it when they’re doing homework and revising for exams.

Waiting until later in Key Stage 3 to adopt a recommended scientific model in the classroom raises the risk of students starting to use other methods in their own time. That might include smartphone apps, online software and other tools that aren’t recommended by schools or permitted in exams.

“Introducing an exam-approved scientific calculator like the Casio ClassWiz as early as possible really does make everyone’s lives easier,” Simon said.

“Being able to focus on one device helps with lesson planning and teaching for teachers, while students can have a shared experience, looking at what their peers are doing on their calculators and helping each other out.”

Support for all students

Experienced teachers such as Claire Clay, Lead Practitioner for Maths at Ormiston Academies Trust, have also emphasised the benefits of early adoption of calculators in Key Stage 3.

Claire told us that normalising scientific calculator use from the very start of year 7 can help students of all abilities.

More confident learners can use the technology to push themselves, investigate new topics and tackle more complex and challenging problems.

For those who struggle with maths, meanwhile, a calculator can be an effective tool for easing cognitive load. It can allow them to focus on the fundamentals of a question and what they’re really being asked.

Resources to support your ClassWiz rollout

If you’re on the lookout for resources to help with the introduction of scientific calculator technology in your classroom, you’ll find plenty on our website, including:

• A quickstart video guide to the ClassWiz range
• Interactive manuals for both the fx-83/85GT CW and fx-991CW
• A short video guide to navigating the calculator

On Google Drive, you can find a collection of videos and information cards created by Claire. These resources provide step-by-step instructions to dozens of processes and operations on the fx-83/85GT CW, including defining and using functions and solving a quadratic equation using the formula.