A remedial programme wherein mathematical notation and structure is taught by practice with the residual syntax inherent in the hand‐held calculator was developed. Remedial topics such as the correct use of parentheses, fractions, roots, powers, radicals, and the functional notation are taught by the evaluation of appropriate expressions on a calculator. The ability to evaluate an expression correctly is directly tied to the recognition and understanding of the symbols of mathematics and their inter‐relationships. These relationships are mirrored by, and implemented on, the calculator. In a drill‐and‐practice format, this remediation was delivered by computer as part of a CAI programme encompassing the three‐course remedial sequence for first‐year mathematics students at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.