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Re: [Phys-L] problems with the teaching of algebra

Pennsylvania requires all teachers to have at least 6 credits of math at the undergraduate level.

Do you think that taking math courses is enough to ensure that teachers achieve the minimal level of mathematical understanding that we hope to see?

I'm not so sure. We found very little correlation between students who took a pre-calculus class and their ability to do simple problems (like which is bigger: 7/8 or 5/7).

OK, you might think, that is math. What about physics? Do you think students are unlikely to pass physics without the minimal level of mathematical understanding that we hope to see?

I'm not so sure.

I've found that students are very good at passing courses without understanding the underlying math. They’ve gotten this far because they are very good at doing the minimum necessary to pass the course without fully understanding the math. I'm confident the teachers are teaching them math. I'm less confident the students really understand the math.

Think about your own courses. Do you inadvertently help students solve problems without really understanding (e.g., identify the variables involved, find the equation, plug in, etc.). Do you reward students who do all of the work and try really hard, even if their test scores are not good?

It isn't so easy.

Robert Cohen Department of Physics East Stroudsburg University
570.422.3428 http://www.esu.edu/~bbq East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

-----Original Message-----
From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@www.phys-l.org] On Behalf Of Philip Keller
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2014 2:17 PM
To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
Subject: Re: [Phys-L] problems with the teaching of algebra

Is this example meant to be ironic? Which of these kids is going to learn fractions today? :)

More seriously, though: if you believe that it is important that elementary school teachers can do a little algebra, putting one or two items on a multiple choice test is not going to make that happen. You'd be better off requiring that they have one college level course in a subject that uses algebra, one that they'd be unlikely to pass without that minimal level you were hoping to see.


On 10/12/2014 2:30 AM, Ze'ev Wurman wrote:
On 10/11/2014 8:43 PM, Bernard Cleyet wrote:


Aaaagh!

You’re correct, however, this practice exam. includes one, I think —
at least I used algebra , #22

‎www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/pdf/cbest_opt_math.pdf
<http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/pdf/cbest_opt_math.pdf>

The problem is:

At the beginning of a class period, half of the students in a class
go to the library. Later in the period, half of the remaining
students go to the computer lab. If there are 8 students remaining
in the class, how many students were originally in the class?


It is interesting to note that Singapore students are expected to
solve such problems in the third grade with their bar models.

Ze'ev
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