Should Maths be taught in School ????

[mrspunkysmom]

Sadly, I've never explored the compound interest formula that far, having only one course in DE in college.

[mrspunkysmom]

(asbestos suit on)

As far as math instruction goes, IMO there is no substitute for the practice/drills that used to be done in elementary school. Math is at the root of all scientific disciplines, as well as accounting and economics.

(asbestos suit retired.)

Yes, and the reason these students do not do as well later in math is that the drills are no longer required. It is considered beneath our students and a waste of time.

[Lady's Human]

SO you do the drills at home. (RIght MJ and Axel?)

[wombat2u2004]

I don't know what it's like in the USA, but last year was my daughters final year at school and the maths that she did were beyond me. Most entry requirements for university include a pass in maths.

[mrspunkysmom]

SO you do the drills at home. (RIght MJ and Axel?)

It depends on the family. Most just use a calculator.

[mrspunkysmom]

I don't know what it's like in the USA, but last year was my daughters final year at school and the maths that she did were beyond me. Most entry requirements for university include a pass in maths.

Successful school districts have standards.

The real problem is that it is THE USA. We believe that anyone can grow up to be anything they want. And so we try to educate everyone to be a rocket scientist and have difficulty telling someone they can't. Career interests are not explored until half way into the high school years in some school districts.

And there seems to be a sense of entitlement these days. I'm supposed to give them the grade and not make them earn it.

[Lady's Human]

Most irritating story about math education goes to NYC. A couple days ago there was an article on education in NYC, and one school was unable to teach algebra because they didn't have the money to buy graphing calculators.

[mrspunkysmom]

Edit: After re-reading your post, I realize that the sad part is that these educator have gotten stuck in a tech rut and were probably relying on the calculator to help them teach. Done with Edit

Graphing calculators are not necessary to learn algebra. I learned Algebra using pencil paper, graph paper, and my brain.

They are nice, but not necessary. We have become lazy.

The other side of this coin - Who is responsible for the purchase of the calculators? The students will use these all four years of high school and beyond. Shouldn't they purchase or rent the calculator? I bought all of my calculators in college and they were not cheap then either. Although my calculators were used for a backup not the primary calculations.

Again we are back to entitlement and we have become lazy.

[smokey the elder]

LOL at the graphing calculators. Back when I took algebra calculators didn't even exist. "Four bangers" came out my junior year. I remember we were working with equations, and had to actually graph them by hand; some of the equations resulted in beautiful, elegant graphs. Working out the numbers and watching the curve develop is really quite satisfying to a geek like me.

[mrspunkysmom]

Oh, I so agree. My students act like I am subjecting them to cruel and unusual punishment to actually calculate the table values and hand-graph the function.

My mom bought me a four function calculator when I was in 8th grade. It actually worked more like an adding machine at that time . Enter two data values and instruct the calculator what to do. It cost a little more than $30 and I was actually faster in my head for the less complicated computations. It also had to be plugged in.

The funniest graphing calculator story for me. Late 90's and I was teaching Pre-Calculus for the first time. If you remember the old-fashioned way of calculating logarithms, you know where I am going. Finding the Base 10 logarithm of a number between 0 and 1 meant a negative exponent but the log tables were written for positive exponents. So 10^ (9.30103 -10) which is 0.2 actual value shows as -0.69897 on the modern calculator. The answers in the book were different and on the calculator. I had to go to another teacher and ask what the big deal was. I had already figured that out, but I needed confirmation. The class thought I was nuts.

I like the old method better. I think it shows the exponential relationships.

LOL at the graphing calculators. Back when I took algebra calculators didn't even exist. "Four bangers" came out my junior year. I remember we were working with equations, and had to actually graph them by hand; some of the equations resulted in beautiful, elegant graphs. Working out the numbers and watching the curve develop is really quite satisfying to a geek like me.

[Lady's Human]

You can buy one heck of a lot of graph paper and pencils for the cost of a high end graphing calc.

Just like teaching marksmanship......before you use a scope, you learn iron sights.

Get the basics down before introducing technology. There's no need for calculators in high school.

[lvpets2002]

LOL This is all just too funny.. Pat I dont think its What Do they study == More Than Its What They Do Not Study in Schools..

That looks like a pretty good list to me. Don't they do these subjects now?

What DO they study in school these days?

[Husky_mom]

Oh dear God!!..

I´m not a math person.. I hate them.. but what is with this people.. lol.. seems they chose not to take math.. or any other not math :P at all..

it seemed like a made up vid.. but it´s really not that far from the truth.. sadly..


my on topic real answer would be : yes, basic math should be taught.. the kind of math for everyday use.. all of the more complex, advanced, etc.. should be left for those that really like them, understand them and will use them in their lifes/work

[Karen]

For those who are confused, this is a take-off on a question that was actually asked of pageant contestants - "Should evolution be taught in schools."

Here is that video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkBmh...layer_embedded

I don't think anyone seriously thinks math should not be taught.

[mrspunkysmom]

I don't think anyone seriously thinks math should not be taught.

You haven't met any of my students or their parents. Their idea of learning math is "show me how to do it on the calculator."

A lot of this has to do with the lack of importance placed on it in elementary schools.