Reply to "new math"

My 6th grader was lucky enough to experience a new math program they started this past year. I was happy to see that the work books had gone back to what I would have to call an older method of teaching the basics where they had to actually "figure it out". The only problem I saw was that the work books were very short on examples. This did require my son (and sometimes myself) to have to figure it out on his our own more, but I think it really made him learn. If they continue that program I think it's a step in the right direction, especially if they see the shortcomings of the workbook. So back to the point I wanted to make...since the invention of the calculator, and subsequently, the computer (computerized cash register), people no longer have to think for themselves. In fact kids today are being programmed to require the calculator/computer to provide the answer. If it's not written in glowing LED's, they are lost. Not sure how you fix that other than taking a few steps backward and outlaw the calculator.