Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Mathematics /Algebra in the Real World
Teachers have struggled with making algebra, geometry, calculus, etc. meaningful and relevant by providing games, manipulative, activities and demonstrations that apply to everyday life. Eureka!!! TECHNOLOGY!!! Please share your thoughts regarding the technology today that would have helped you to become a math wiz when you were in Elementary, Middle (Junior) or Senior High School.
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i notice that your question is presupposing that nobody who would answer the question is a "math whiz". perhaps technology may not be the answer to creating a whiz, but it could be the tool that makes math relevant for students who might be struggling to grasp certain concepts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. My intentions were to get a conversation from persons who have stated in the past and now: ”Math was my worst subject.” "I hate Math.” "I must say I could never do math problems.” AND ON AND ON AND ON. Maybe I should have begun the statement by saying, "If you were frustrated with math problems/homework; had high levels of anxiety in a math class; or just did not like math…then I guess the comments will come from my targeted audience. (Those who think they are not math whiz) THANKS AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteas a student i experienced a level of frustration not because of my percieved inability, but rather how math was being taught to me. one of the great aspects of problems (math being no exception) is that sometimes arriving at the solution is a different path for different people. perhaps it is just my innate issues with being told what to do :)
ReplyDeleteSusan O'Boyle, a colleague in the Southwest District, several years ago showed me how easy and wonderful math could be. She taught it with a passion and excitement--she did amazing tricks which made me think if she'd been my teacher I could have been a math whiz. Unfortunately, my teachers didn't love math like Susan and therefore neither did I. My dad was a mental mathematician and my sister became a bean counter. It didn't matter how often they told me math was easy--it took Susan O'Boyle to make it so.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments!I remember Susan also.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget my calculus teacher. he always started the lesson with the history behind the topic. The classroom was crowded and everybody was on time. We learned calculus in our own language (student). It was fun! That teacher Mr. Fidalgo made an impact to many generations. We need teachers like that.
There is a book called "How to ACE Calculus the Streetwise Guide by Colin Adams". Definetely a good one to start teaching without intimidating the students