The Role of Mental Computation and Estimation

Focusing on student inventions, this research highlights the significance of mental computation in enhancing mathematical understanding among students. It illustrates how engaging in mental calculations fosters deeper thinking about numbers and encourages meaningful classroom discourse. The findings emphasize the importance of students sharing their strategies, which promotes mathematical conversations and conceptual understanding. By drawing on constructivist epistemology, the author aims to guide teachers in effectively implementing mental computation, countering the misconception that it merely involves rote recall.