Interesting Facts

Do you know: 

"Using a calculator might restrict

the level of expertise achieved

with respect to short-term

memory skills for complex

arithmetic."  Complex arithmetic

places special demands on

short-term memory skills that

simple arithmetic usually does

not, because complex arithmetic

involves operations such as

carrying, borrowing and

place keeping. "This is

demanding mental juggling for

most people's short-term

working memory processes.

Math anxiety worsens

performance in two ways: First, it

leads to avoidance, which leads

to lower competence; second, it

temporarily inhibits working

memory capacity, possibly by

failure to inhibit attention to

intrusive thoughts.