During a recent exam, I was called over by a student who asked if I could tell them the answer to 150 x 4000. No, I am not making that up. And no, I do not permit students to use calculators on my exams.
The student's reaction when I declined to answer the question: "Oh no! Really?"
What are students doing in university if they do not have basic math skills from grade four? Or am I just out of touch with the real world and what skills are useful? Maybe, with cheap calculators, there is no need for students to know basic math skills anymore?
At any rate, this incident came to mind when I read Stephen Karlson's terrific discussion of who should or should not attend which university, college, or trade school. Fascinating and highly recommended.