Comments on: Students falling behind on math http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/ The Unpredictable Union of Pragmatism, Idealism, and Cynicism Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:51:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Talmadge East http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-226 Talmadge East Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:07:53 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-226 I am horrible at math, but I just wanted to point out that the Times is WAY behind in this story; the <a HREF="http://www.weeklystandard.com/Check.asp?idArticle=12874&r=vswac" rel="nofollow">Standard had it a couple weeks ago.</A> I am horrible at math, but I just wanted to point out that the Times is WAY behind in this story; the Standard had it a couple weeks ago.

]]> By: Dan http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-227 Dan Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:22:36 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-227 I hear ya, Brian. I tutor people in calculus, and I'm just amazed at people who don't even have a basic understanding of the order of operations (you multiply before you add, etc.). On more than one occassion, I've had to explain people how a graph works (the curve shows you that if you put in <i>this</i> X, you get out <i>this</i> Y). When you start getting into algebra, my mind becomes blown. I hear ya, Brian. I tutor people in calculus, and I’m just amazed at people who don’t even have a basic understanding of the order of operations (you multiply before you add, etc.). On more than one occassion, I’ve had to explain people how a graph works (the curve shows you that if you put in this X, you get out this Y).

When you start getting into algebra, my mind becomes blown.

]]> By: Brian http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-228 Brian Wed, 15 Nov 2006 11:26:43 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-228 I think there is room for both theory and rote memorization. I see a difference between math and problem solving. As an engineer I use math as a tool in the problem solving process. Math should be so natural that it does not become part of the problem itself. I think that the biggest problem with people of our generation (w/ respect to math) is technology. Advanced graphing calculators and computers have been available from day one and consequently most people my age can't perform even simple math without that assistance. I think there is room for both theory and rote memorization. I see a difference between math and problem solving. As an engineer I use math as a tool in the problem solving process. Math should be so natural that it does not become part of the problem itself.

I think that the biggest problem with people of our generation (w/ respect to math) is technology. Advanced graphing calculators and computers have been available from day one and consequently most people my age can’t perform even simple math without that assistance.

]]> By: Dan http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-229 Dan Wed, 15 Nov 2006 05:09:20 +0000 http://www.flashpointblog.com/2006/11/14/students-falling-behind-on-math/#comment-229 Favoring theory over rote memorization is the only kind of math. If you can't solve a problem that is somewhat unique from the material presented, you can't do math. You can just apply procedure to a predefined problem with unique parameters. Having said that, it is essential that people go through the mechanics of math like arithmetic before they tackle anything else. My little sister was going over set theory and 1/0 logic problems in her pre-high school math. That's just looney. Those kids will have no practical understanding of that stuff in 8th grade. They might be able to solve simple problems with ease (logic math is simpler than arithmetic), and those problems have some wonderful applications in computers and control systems, but what does an 8th grader need that stuff for? Favoring theory over rote memorization is the only kind of math. If you can’t solve a problem that is somewhat unique from the material presented, you can’t do math. You can just apply procedure to a predefined problem with unique parameters.

Having said that, it is essential that people go through the mechanics of math like arithmetic before they tackle anything else. My little sister was going over set theory and 1/0 logic problems in her pre-high school math. That’s just looney. Those kids will have no practical understanding of that stuff in 8th grade. They might be able to solve simple problems with ease (logic math is simpler than arithmetic), and those problems have some wonderful applications in computers and control systems, but what does an 8th grader need that stuff for?

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