Comments on: Dr. Jeff on Mathematics Education

By: Philip Watson

Philip Watson — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:11:06 +0000

Subjects should not be taught in a vacuum – we don’t ‘use’ them in a vacuum once we leave school, so why are these strict delineations btwn subjects still so strongly reinforced?

btw – maths is used in many other subjects – particularly science and technology. I like this blending btwn subjects

By: Jason Bedell

Jason Bedell — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:56:08 +0000

I am a former English teacher (current librarian) and I agree with your main points. I think there are two major issues that need dealing with. First, there is the misconception that math is something scary and other to humanities majors. I had the privilege to double major in math and pre-med in college, so I was able to take relatively high-level math and science classes, at least compared to the other English majors. When I started my education program, literally 9 out 10 pre-service teachers expressed their fear and/or aversion towards math. I often hear social studies and English teachers say that “hate math” or they’re “just not good at math” in front of student. This makes it seem like these are fine points of view. The students pick up on it and their interest in math wanes because of the teacher’s lack of enthusiasm. Second, the way we teach math takes any natural enthusiasm most children have and kills it. I am not critiquing math teachers; rather, they’re hands are tied and they are forced to shove too many concepts down kids’ throats too quickly and at an age where often they are not ready. I recently read this outstanding article on the subject by math teacher Paul Lockhart: http://www.maa.org/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf.
As an English teacher, I was able to incorporate math; it didn’t happen every day, unfortunately, but neither was it uncommon. Math is unique in that it is both an art and a universal language that can transcend other boundaries. It is shortsighted of us if we overlook it.

By: Matt Guthrie

Matt Guthrie — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:40:51 +0000

Great post. As a math teacher and geek at heart, I wholeheartedly concur. I love those moments when I can weave math into everyday ordinary things, and not just computing the unit price of a slice of bread, with people of all ages. It’s amazing to watch them experience their own “a-ha” at the wonder of nature and the world around for the first time because math was given to them in this way. I dream of a curricular change that enables this one day.

By: George

George — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:35:16 +0000

I think that students, upon graduation, should be able to communicate. They should be able to write an essay, they should be able to prepare and give a speech, and they should be able to present their solution to a problem. The more we include math, especially statistics, in other courses, the stronger our students will be. Great article. – George

By: Kimberly Ennico

Kimberly Ennico — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:20:00 +0000

I stumbled upon this gem of an article, entitled “Why You Should Choose Math in High School”, http://www.acm.org/ubiquity/views/v7i11_math.html, where the author lists many reasons why having a good basis in math just helps you in life in so many ways, especially in our computer-filled western lives. It iterates the same theme as you — that learning math goes well beyond the math class. The challenge remains on how to best teach it or how to teach it effectively (which may involve different techniques for different students).

By: All_Day_SCI-fi

All_Day_SCI-fi — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:08:12 +0000

Let’s face facts most people hate math.

Another fact, most math teachers are lousy at teaching it.

There is something wrong with Western culture in it’s attitude about math. It is separated from reality and taught in this abstract Never-Never Land form like it doesn’t relate to anything and thinking of it that way is so “intelligent”.

Stop teaching math in grade school. Teach PHYSICS. Then the physics teacher can teach the math as it relates to the physics and never separate math from reality. Use Ohm’s Law to teach division and multiplication. How many grade school kids don’t know squat about electricity anyway? But every American uses it almost every day. It’s hysterical!

And use science fiction to teach English.

http://alldaysci-fi.cerizmo.com/

What is so great about Shakespeare anyway? I would rather read Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold had an engineer for a father. It shows compared to all of the sci-fi junk with delusional science, like Neuromancer.

By: Dean

Dean — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:08:28 +0000

“It is the language that binds all humanity”. Music? Art? Dance? There are other disciplines in the same boat.

By: Phyllis K Twombly

Phyllis K Twombly — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:44:57 +0000

My Algebra 11 teacher wasted half the semester with non-algebraic formulas from his university days. Only his pet students could understand it. The rest of us were failing.

Revenge came suddenly and unexpectedly when he admitted none of his material would be on the provincial exam, then handed out a quiz to see ‘what he actually needed to cover.’ It was all graphing, which I can do in my sleep. His pet students…not so much. “Yes, that’s a triangle, and I’d be happy to show you how to use it.”

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:50:26 +0000

If you’re following me on Twitter, you know I agree with what you wrote. We keep hearing about reading and literacy. Math is everywhere around us, and everything in this world (and out of it) can be connected to math in one way or another. The key to being successful in higher level math is understanding of numbers, and mastery of math facts. What scares me is when I hear some teachers are not confident teaching math because they are not comfortable with it themselves!

By: George H

George H — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:40:21 +0000

Great post. Anyone who thinks you actually wanted to ban English missed the entire point of your essay. Maybe that fact in and of itself validates your frustration– you were equating English and Math, then following a logical path to make a point. Your point could be summed up as P=M. P->Q therefore M->Q.
In other words, if not using English in other classes is ludicrous, then it is equally ludicrous to not use the language of math because Math and English are equal.

I agree completely with you in theory. I would extend the argument even further to say that every class should embrace and integrate elements from other disciplines.

I am not really a “math person,” but I am always looking for practical ways to bring math into my classroom.

It would be great for you to do a follow up post detailing some specific ways people can do what you are imploring.

Thanks for writing an interesting piece.

You = Awesome.