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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 out teaching the students how to add, subtract, multiply
and divide whole numbers. About 1/3 of the class can't do that.
Then we move to decimals, which most can do via calculators.
Then comes positive and negative numbers. 3/4 or more of the
class can't get that. Eventually they get it via the calculator.
Then we do fractions. I suspect only 10% of the students get
fractions before the course. Then come percents. Few students
can do this. I love it. I love taking them for 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? (believe 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 algebra. Then they learn how to plug numbers into formulas.
Okay I went to a not so good private school. I learned how to do
this in grade school. For about half my students this is the
first time they have seen this material at all.
Most just don't get it. I have nurses to be, electricians to be,
contractors to be, police to be amongst others. They frighten
me. Really bad.
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 showing us how to do it. It is not like i work the
problems out in silence. I tell them what steps I am doing....
Tina Fanetti
Math at WIT
a^2 + b^2 = (a+b)^2
x+y=xy
4^5/4^3=1
(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