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Re: weight vs. mass (was: Units and Conversions)



Some of them do. By far the majority of them do.
They weren't born knowing it, but they figure it out.
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 amoungst 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