UCMAS: Calculator VS Abacus

Abacus	Calculators
Input - By the child Process - Done by the child Output - Take out by the child	Input - By the child Process - Internal Output - Display
v Abstract numbers take the form of beads, so the child finds it easy to compute using abacus. v Child does the information processing, and hence knows how to arrive at the answer	Presses the buttons and gets the answer. Computation is done by the calculator Calculator does the information processing, so Child does not know how answer is arrived
v When abacus is removed after some time, Child would have internalized the abacus to perform the computation by image of abacus Increase the self confidence	When calculator is removed after some time Child is totally at a loss. Increases gadget dependency.
v Child acquires skills v Interaction of Right and Left Brains resulting in Whole brain development. v Child emerges as the winner	No skill attained Brain utilization only takes place. No gain achieved