Re: [Phys-L] Legitimate Phys-L topics.

["Anthony Lapinski" <Anthony_Lapinski@pds.org>]

I agree. Kids in school are taught very little "practical" math. Most
people just need the "basics" (mostly arithmetic - fractions, decimals,
percents, etc.) to get by in real life, yet they are forced to take many
years of "irrelevant" math classes. Not many people are "scientists."

There really should be a revolution in the way math is taught. Make it
simple, practical, and relevant. I don't feel this will ever happen as
everyone is so focused on standardized tests and how each math course
prepares you for the next level. Overkill. It's such a shame.


Phys-L@Phys-L.org writes:
> "The math... the math... the math..."  Oh... My...God......Yes.  A
> resounding YES!   That's all I hear, every day.  "I HATE MATH.  I CAN'T
> DO MATH." 
>
> It has to go back to several factors... the lack of certified math
> teachers in elementary school +  parents who transmit that attitude to
> their children +  the general anti-academic attitude in this country in
> general + (and this is very controversial...) the way math is taught
> nowadays to prepare for high stakes testing turns them off from an early
> age.  (Yes, I know I will raise a few 'hackles' with that statement and
> the previous one) 
>
> What say you all?
>
>
>
> On Jan 6, 2014, at 11:37 AM, Bill Nettles wrote:
>
> > Richard,
> > Is there any required class that all students enjoy? 
> >
> > As one of my colleagues says regarding the gen-ed physical science
> course, "My goal is to move them from antagonism to apathy."  Of course,
> he actually does much more than that. What is interesting is that the
> students who had high school outside the US have no trouble with the
> course (it's actually a step below what they had in HS) while US students
> (public, private, or home-school) whine about "the math." 
> >
>
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