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They weren't born knowing it, but they figure it out.Some of them do. By far the majority of them do.
This thread started out referring to a college class.<<
Yes and it still is. Let me describe this class for you. I start
ou=
t teaching the students how to add, subtract, multiply and divide
who=
le numbers. About 1/3 of the class can't do that. Then we move to
d=
ecimals, which most can do via calculators. Then comes positive and
=
negative numbers. 3/4 or more of the class can't get that.
Eventual=
ly they get it via the calculator. Then we do fractions. I suspect
=
only 10% of the students get fractions before the course. Then come
p=
ercents. Few students can do this. I love it. I love taking them
f=
or a ride because we all know that if something costs $100 and it is
=
on sale for 20% off that means it should ring up $120 right?
(believ=
e me they think it does) Or it should ring up $20. After that it
is=
unit conversions.
Then onto what perimeter, area and volume are. They think it is the
=
same. Love to be a contractor here. Then we do incredibly simple
al=
gebra. Then they learn how to plug numbers into formulas.
Okay I went to a not so good private school. I learned how to do
thi=
s in grade school. For about half my students this is the first
time=
they have seen this material at all. =20
Most just don't get it. I have nurses to be, electricians to be,
con=
tractors to be, police to be amoungst others. They frighten me.
Rea=
lly bad. =20
If you have ever tried teaching at this level it is frightening that
=
they just dont get it.
Today one asked me when I was going to start teaching. This is only
=
the 5 week of the semester. I was like what do you think I am doing
=
up here? She is like you are working out problems, but that is not
s=
howing us how to do it. It is not like i work the problems out in
si=
lence. I tell them what steps I am doing....
Tina Fanetti
Math at WIT
a^2 + b^2 =3D (a+b)^2
x+y=3Dxy
4^5/4^3=3D1
(mistakes my elementary students made on the last test)
I could go on but it gives me nightmares.
Tina Fanetti
Physics Instructor
Western Iowa Technical Community College
4647 Stone Ave
Sioux City IA 51102
712-274-8733 ext 1429