EDPC 610 Foundations II
Assistive Technology
By Angel Lopez
Name of Device: Money Calc
Manufacturer: PCI Education
Description:
The Money Calc is a calculator that can be used to assist students in developing money math skills. This device contains realistic coin buttons and mini-dollar bill buttons as well as the standard number buttons you find on a regular calculator. When a coin or bill button is pressed, the amount is displayed in dollars and cents on the screen. For example, the penny, nickel, dime and quarter buttons are displayed as $.01, $.05, $.10 and $.25 on the LCD screen. It also displays dollar bill amounts as $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00. This is a unique display feature which is not found on a regular calculator. The Money Calc can be used to add, subtract, multiply and divide money amounts. This device can be used to calculate taxes or tips by programming it to a specific percentage amount, such as 8.625% or 10%. The manufacturer also offers 100 reproducible math worksheets for teachers to use. These worksheets contain math activities which students can solve using the Money Calc.
Dimensions:
The calculator is 5” x 6” inches
Price is determined by quantity ordered:
1 Money Calc $21.95
3 Pack Money Calc $59.95
10 Pack Money Calc $199.95
25 Pack Money Calc $449.95
Money Math Worksheets are also available:
Money Calc Worksheets $42.95
Who needs this technology?
The Money Calc is a helpful tool for students in general education and special education who need help in solving money math problems. This device can assist students who find it difficult to work with decimal numbers representing money amounts. For example, when adding 2.50 + 2.50 on a regular calculator the answer to the problem is displayed as 5., instead of 5.00. This happens because a traditional calculator converts the entry of 2.50 to 2.5 and the answer of 5.00 to 5. However, the Money Calc shows the dollar mark, dollars and cents by showing two digits after the decimal point. This device can also help students who struggle with basic math functions to learn higher problem solving skills and concepts.
What does research say about its effectiveness?
There is currently no research on the benefits of using the Money Calc, however, there are studies that shows how calculators can help students with disabilities explore math concepts. (See research at http://www.ldonline.org/article/19274) The research found that students’ problem-solving skills and attitudes toward math improved with the use of calculators. Based on my own experience with the Money Calc, I have seen positive results when working with students in special education. The students enjoy using the device during money math activities and are able to learn higher math concepts which would normally be extremely difficult due to the lack of basic function skills.
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How will it help learning and participation in an inclusion setting?
The Money Calc will allow elementary students who are struggling with the basic math functions to explore and solve problems during math instruction. This device will help students to develop higher order thinking skills such as calculating percentages, taxes and solving word problems with money. In addition, this device can also help students in general education who are at-risk of failing in math due to difficulty understanding concepts using money.
Would you recommend its use?
The Money Calc is an effective tool for students who are struggling with money math skills in both general and special education. It is an affordable device which is easy to use and makes learning money math fun. However, with any new device teachers must first become familiar with how it works before giving it to the students. Also, teachers need to explain all of the buttons on the device and demonstrate how to operate it correctly.
Resources:
http://pcieducation.com/default.aspx
http://pcieducation.com/Product/Detail/PCI910/money+calc
http://pcieducation.com/product_samples/PCI910.PDF
http://www.ldonline.org/article/19274
Assistive Technology
By Angel Lopez
Name of Device: Money Calc
Manufacturer: PCI Education
Description:
The Money Calc is a calculator that can be used to assist students in developing money math skills. This device contains realistic coin buttons and mini-dollar bill buttons as well as the standard number buttons you find on a regular calculator. When a coin or bill button is pressed, the amount is displayed in dollars and cents on the screen. For example, the penny, nickel, dime and quarter buttons are displayed as $.01, $.05, $.10 and $.25 on the LCD screen. It also displays dollar bill amounts as $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00. This is a unique display feature which is not found on a regular calculator. The Money Calc can be used to add, subtract, multiply and divide money amounts. This device can be used to calculate taxes or tips by programming it to a specific percentage amount, such as 8.625% or 10%. The manufacturer also offers 100 reproducible math worksheets for teachers to use. These worksheets contain math activities which students can solve using the Money Calc.
Dimensions:
The calculator is 5” x 6” inches
Price is determined by quantity ordered:
1 Money Calc $21.95
3 Pack Money Calc $59.95
10 Pack Money Calc $199.95
25 Pack Money Calc $449.95
Money Math Worksheets are also available:
Money Calc Worksheets $42.95
Who needs this technology?
The Money Calc is a helpful tool for students in general education and special education who need help in solving money math problems. This device can assist students who find it difficult to work with decimal numbers representing money amounts. For example, when adding 2.50 + 2.50 on a regular calculator the answer to the problem is displayed as 5., instead of 5.00. This happens because a traditional calculator converts the entry of 2.50 to 2.5 and the answer of 5.00 to 5. However, the Money Calc shows the dollar mark, dollars and cents by showing two digits after the decimal point. This device can also help students who struggle with basic math functions to learn higher problem solving skills and concepts.
What does research say about its effectiveness?
There is currently no research on the benefits of using the Money Calc, however, there are studies that shows how calculators can help students with disabilities explore math concepts. (See research at http://www.ldonline.org/article/19274) The research found that students’ problem-solving skills and attitudes toward math improved with the use of calculators. Based on my own experience with the Money Calc, I have seen positive results when working with students in special education. The students enjoy using the device during money math activities and are able to learn higher math concepts which would normally be extremely difficult due to the lack of basic function skills.
.
How will it help learning and participation in an inclusion setting?
The Money Calc will allow elementary students who are struggling with the basic math functions to explore and solve problems during math instruction. This device will help students to develop higher order thinking skills such as calculating percentages, taxes and solving word problems with money. In addition, this device can also help students in general education who are at-risk of failing in math due to difficulty understanding concepts using money.
Would you recommend its use?
The Money Calc is an effective tool for students who are struggling with money math skills in both general and special education. It is an affordable device which is easy to use and makes learning money math fun. However, with any new device teachers must first become familiar with how it works before giving it to the students. Also, teachers need to explain all of the buttons on the device and demonstrate how to operate it correctly.
Resources:
http://pcieducation.com/default.aspx
http://pcieducation.com/Product/Detail/PCI910/money+calc
http://pcieducation.com/product_samples/PCI910.PDF
http://www.ldonline.org/article/19274
7 comments:
This looks like an excellent AT tool. Is there any speech output associated with it? I like the idea of the money retaining the decimals for cents. I've even experience a double-take occasionally when the cents go to a whole number and the decimals are dropped. Then I have to look back and see if that is logical/correct. For students with more severe disabilities this can really throw them for a loop. I like the tax and tip calculator also. Good practical tool with many benefits for learning and executing basic skills!
I wish I had this calculator around when I was teaching as a First Grade teacher. Many of my students had difficulty with the numerical/symbolic relationships of money. The act of pressing the coin buttons could have given them instant visualization of coin values. No matter home many times I wrote the values on the board, my students were still having difficulty making connections. As with many digital devices, my students loved using our calculators. Having a calculator like this would have been even better.
Counting by pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters can be seen numerically on this device. Many of my students were able to commit this to memory, but the few students who didn't would have had a great a visual to follow.
If I had my way, all classes would have access to several of these calculators during units on money.
This is a great tool. It's practical and is related to real world skills which is something that everyone can use. It's so important to learn how to count in terms of money. I also find that some younger students are fascinated with calculators. I have kids in the computer lab ask if they can use the calculator on the computer when they finish their work. Guess some people just like numbers.
I wonder if they make a similar calculator that works with time. That's another difficult skill that a tool lie this would be helpful with.
I love the idea of using this calculator with kids who struggle with money. It would be an easy way to quickly calculate many coins for those who don't yet know (or aren't able to do) basic multiplication facts or multi-step money problems. It would give kids a chance to understand how that works without the mechanics of the operations themselves getting in the way.
I am wondering if there is an advanced version that can be used in middle school for discounts, etc.
This is a gool AT tool and I think, its good for every students especially those that are poor in basic operations. A lot of times, I find reading decimal numbers in terms of money makes the students get the concept quickly, so I vary the way I read the number, in standard form and then reading it in term of money value. Talking about Tax and the tips, this tool is a really good device in teaching the students. I like it!
This is a cool technology. It's practical and simple. Kids in the genreal and special classes would love this. Mathematics is always part of their lives. This assistive technology can help kids appreciate Math in their real life.
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