Comments on: Friday math movie – Math education, a university view

By: zac

zac — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:15:58 +0000

Thanks for your input, Becky.

Actually, it’s not only at high school level that you come across students with such challenges. Happens in universities, too!

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:08:35 +0000

I run an after school tutoring program in a WA state HS where one of the greatest hindrances to getting students up to par in math is that about half the students we see do not know simple mathematical operations, such as multiplication facts, fractions, and decimals. Until students come up to the high school knowing these basic facts, we will be backtracking and playing catch up until we can finally get to the Algebra and Geometry. It’s very frustrating!
We are finally switching away from Integrated Math in our school district. I’ve seen the mess it has created and could not be happier to see it go…

By: zac

zac — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:36:02 +0000

I guess I am much the same – traditional but with modern enhancements.

Thanks for your input, Peter!

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:14:16 +0000

These curricula generally require highly math-knowledgeable teachers.

I used one (had to if I was on point for getting rid of it), and found that I could work with it but our teachers in this country are not, on the whole, able to do this so that is one problem.

moreover, to make it work I had to put in tons of extra effort, beyond what a traditional program would have provided, and without much extra benefit

all that being said, I strongly support doing the sorts of ‘extras’ that these curricula presuppose

I am a non-traditional teacher who strongly advocates using a traditional math program, and then bringing all sorts of “modern” supplements…

By: zac

zac — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:31:16 +0000

There are 2 critical issues: (1) The curriculum and (2) How it is taught. Seems to me that a lot of the wars are really about confusion between the 2. I believe you can change the way it is taught without dumbing it down.

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:57:45 +0000

this was part of a national “math war” in the US. I was involved in an initiative that removed a similar lousy curriculum from 20 schools.

By: zac

zac — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:28:09 +0000

yes, I thought you would have a lot to say about it!

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:01:05 +0000

I know this one, it’s been around, and I have a lot to say about it

there’s something seriously wrong with the curriculum, but the video-maker has no solutions to the problems, only complaints