Comment on [Link] Why the kids don’t know no algebra

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:33:43 GMT

It seems like part of the problem is that people don't really know or agree what mathematical education is for. If we knew for what reasons or purposes we were teaching everyone math, that might help us figure out what math they should learn.

It seems to me like various purposes for math education include:

Teaching students how to work with numerical and geometric quantities — for "real-life" purposes such as making change, planning schedules, and measuring furniture to put in a house;

Teaching problem-solving techniques and mathematical intuition — to improve general problem-solving ability as an intellectual skill;

Teaching techniques of explicit reasoning and methods of logical proof — such as might be applied to analysis of arguments in everyday life; or in law, politics, or other subjects too;

Preparing some students for science, engineering, computing, and other subjects that require particular mathematical techniques (e.g. calculus for physics);

Preparing some students (very few!) to become mathematicians.

Discuss