The abacus is great for adding columns of numbers and doesn't take long to learn. While an undergraduate student I used an abacus for a period of time until a kind soul gave me a calculator.

Leave it on your desk in case your calculator batteries run out - or for a change of pace. They are great conversation pieces too.

This tutorial primary consists of a set of animated gif files that I created. Use the left menu to navigate. To rerun an animation click on the menu topic again.

Enjoy!   -Dr. Jen