What's new
  • BOTL UPCOMING MAINTENANCE

    Hi Everyone, as mentioned in my introduction post, BOTL needs quite a bit of updating, patching and whatever else I might come across. Over the next few weekends BOTL may be unreachable on occasion as I do migrations or updates, etc. Just be patient - we'll be back! I'll generally try to keep these maintenances until later in the evenings.

Fifty Years of Math 1957-2007

caudio51

BoM Nov '05; Mar '06
Rating - 96%
32   1   0
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
19,935
Location
Jersey
Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2007
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this?
Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
1. Teaching Math In 1950s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?
2. Teaching Math In 1960s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100 His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 1990s
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)
6. Teaching Math In 2007
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
 
Rating - 100%
206   0   0
Joined
Dec 12, 2004
Messages
6,454
Location
Idaho
Teaching Math in 2017:
Class, please quiet down so I can download today's math songs into your neural Ipods. We will then begin our lesson in conversational Mandarin.
 

codemachine

Cigar n00b
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
252
Location
Fort Worth, TX
TEACHING MATH IN INNER-CITY URBAN SCHOOLS IN 2007:
Kids, if it's ok with you, I'll just leave my wallet on the desk here and retreat to the bulletproof glass enclosed teachers lounge for the day?
 
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Joined
Jul 19, 2007
Messages
302
Location
Edmond, OK
This is all so true. The question is in today's society, how can we change it?

In my opinion, there is a huge "Entitlement" sentiment all across America.
 

Volusianator

BoM Nov '07 & Jan '09
Rating - 93.8%
86   4   1
Joined
Apr 9, 2007
Messages
7,032
Location
Green Bay, WI
Teaching math in Green Bay from 1992 - 2007:
"Children, this is the number "4", this is the only number you need to know."

Teaching math in Green Bay in 2008:
"Children, we're no longer teaching math as it just doesn't matter."
 
Rating - 100%
42   0   0
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Messages
2,894
Location
Highland Park, NJ
But don't the cash registers tell you the exact amount of change now after you put in how much was handed to you? You barely have to even know math, just how much of those shiny things add up to the number on the screen.
 

tubaman

3 Time BoM
Rating - 100%
173   0   0
Joined
Dec 13, 2004
Messages
5,471
Location
The Isle of Long
On a slightly related note, my wife gave out an evaluation form to her students at St. john's University. One of the questions was "What suggestions would you have for improvements to this course for the future?" One person responded "Your study guides were ineffective because they didn't give us the answers to study for tests. They just asked questions to make us read the text."

Another example of kids wanting to be spoon fed all of the information. God forbid if you ask them to think!
 
Top