“Evidence from many sources,” the document says, “shows that the next generation of standards in mathematics must be focused on deeper, more thorough understanding of more fundamental mathematical ideas and higher mastery of these fewer, more useful skills.”
Zalman Usiskin, a math-textbook author from the University of Chicago, said that he admired aspects of the document and that it had improved over an earlier version. But he also argued that the standards-writers’ focus on college and workforce skills results in other valuable math problems and concepts being neglected.
Mr. Usiskin, a professor emeritus of education, in particular wants to see discussion of the math used in finance, medicine, and other areas—rather than simply the kind that appeals to college mathematicians.
It would be interesting to see what standards they have chosen. I've seen Japanese textbooks, and WOW!, they are small paperbacks that look and feel like a child's book. They use two a year.
From the article, very poignant...
ReplyDelete“Evidence from many sources,” the document says, “shows that the next generation of standards in mathematics must be focused on deeper, more thorough understanding of more fundamental mathematical ideas and higher mastery of these fewer, more useful skills.”
Zalman Usiskin, a math-textbook author from the University of Chicago, said that he admired aspects of the document and that it had improved over an earlier version. But he also argued that the standards-writers’ focus on college and workforce skills results in other valuable math problems and concepts being neglected.
Mr. Usiskin, a professor emeritus of education, in particular wants to see discussion of the math used in finance, medicine, and other areas—rather than simply the kind that appeals to college mathematicians.
Real-world application, the whole relevancy piece to the three Rs we are working toward...
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see what standards they have chosen. I've seen Japanese textbooks, and WOW!, they are small paperbacks that look and feel like a child's book. They use two a year.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should rethink the three Rs to the three Ws Whatever, Wherever, Whenever see the YouTube post to the right "Pay Attention"
ReplyDelete