Progress In Education

[bill5]

Subject: TEACHING MATH

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:

Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960
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?

Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980
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.

Teaching Math In 1990
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.)

Teaching Math In 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la producción es $80 ...

 

[MAllen82]

I love it!! That reminds me of a story. When I was a senior in highschool, the school had to add a calc 3 course because myself and about 5 other people had finsihed all the math classes, and wanted to keep going. I was telling my friend from a local public school about the class, and he started telling me about the gifted math class he was in. Now keep in mind this is our senior year. He gives me the textbook, and it was an honors geometry book. I laughed because I thought he was kidding, but when I realized he wasn't I explained to him that his "honors" math class was the same class I had taken in 8th grade. The problem with the public school system is that it has become a hot bed for agendas, whether it be the staff's agenda of wanting to be a top school, and making it easier for kids to get better grades, or the feel good crowd who don't want to hurt the stupid kids feelings. It's a real shame.

 

[SurfjaxLS]

Me and my friend were in the same boat. They didn't add calc 3, or physics C. I was so pissed about it. Senior year for me was just filler classes.

So now, I'm going to be taking calc 3 and physics c next year in college after a year off of anything close to those courses. Sounds like fun to me.

 

[MAllen82]

that's the worst. When I was taking linear point set theory in college, my professor wanted us to know every obscure rule in any math lower than our level. It was ridiculous!!! No one had above a B+ in the class.