Lessons in How Not to Teach Math

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Tuesday, September 10. 2013

Lessons in How Not to Teach Math

"The course I took in math education methods was worse than useless."

The worst class I took in education school was on “math teaching methods.” It was taught by my advisor at the time. (I say “at the time” because shortly afterward they changed advisors on me, and she no longer taught courses, but worked with Ph.D. candidates. From what little biographical information I have seen about her, she has not ever taught any classes, math or otherwise, in K-12.)

The math teaching methods class was remarkable for its embrace of every educational fad I detest...

Posted by The Barrister in Education, Our Essays at 13:56 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

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I was always very good at math.

My children learned with whatever faddish methods they teach now (honestly, I didn't understand these methods, even after a teacher tried to explain it to me...). One is horrible at math. The other is very good, but struggles in class because he has an innate sense of the logic, but doesn't like the methodology employed.

The way were taught was the right way. I know that's heresy today, but it's a fact as far as I'm concerned. I have kids in my office today who see two reports. One says the outcome was 45%. The next report says the outcome was 40%. They then report to me, "the difference between the outcomes is 5%". Um, no, the difference is 11.1%.

They were taught poorly. Thankfully nobody's lives are in the balance for this work.

My company offers (yes, we do) a math course for every new hiree to teach proper math methods.

#1 Bulldog on 2013-09-10 14:30 (Reply)

Watch the Ma and Pa Kettle do math video on Youtube.

#2 shirley in memphis on 2013-09-10 17:36 (Reply)

It's very simple to evaluate teaching methods - especially for math which itself does not change.

Compare international test scores from the '40s or '50s before they started coming up with this drek with scores now. How do our kids compare to kids in other countries - especially those not "rich" enough to try these new methods. Which kids do better?

I rest my case.

#3 mudbug on 2013-09-10 21:30 (Reply)

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Tuesday, September 10. 2013

Lessons in How Not to Teach Math