Effectiveness and efficiency of calculator use for computation in years 8-10.

A sample of 141 Year 8-10 students in a suburban secondary school was given a computation test to complete by using a four-function calculator. Students were required to record all their key presses for each item in order that they could be assessed on their efficiency of calculator use. There was a small increase in effectiveness of calculator use over the three year levels, but efficiency actually fell away in Year 10. Overall, only 62 percent of students used their calculators highly efficiently.