[rkagerer]

Would abaci be too high tech?

[bawolff]

Abaci would actually probably be good for making mental math come naturally.

As a general rule, i am on team - if you need a calculator in math class then you aren't learning math.

[thfuran]

Because if you're studying real math, a calculator wouldn't help?

[cyberax]

Pretty much. You either do every calculation symbolically, or you need a full-blown computer for numeric methods.

[bawolff]

Either that, or you are trying to teach people arithmatic, in which case having them do it by hand is a benefit.

[SoftTalker]

We learned to use them in elementary school (1970s)!

It was what I think they now call a "manipulative" as way to teach place value, addition, and multiplication.

[cyberax]

An interesting question, actually. It feels like they can be a good teaching tool, compared to calculators.

[caseyy]

"You won't always have an abacus in your pocket."