What is Computational Fluency?
The NCTM Principle and Standards of School Mathematics (2000) defines computational fluency as having efficient, flexible and accurate methods for computing. The key thing to note is that it does not say compute using paper and pencil methods. Students need to be fluent in mental math, paper and pencil methods and using technology such as a calculator in computing answers to situations involving numbers (both whole numbers as well as fractions and decimals). In fact one often overlooked or underdeveloped aspect of computational fluency is not only being able to compute in all three ways but also knowing which method is best based on the given task. In addition, students must be able to determine if an exact answer or a close approximation (estimate) is sufficient. Another key idea is that just being able to compute the correct answer of estimate is not enough either. Students must be able to compute accurately in all three methods AND know when to do what operation. In other words that
