| 
July 31st, 2009, 04:35 AM
| | Newbie | | Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 0
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
| |  Arthur Benjamin's formula for changing math education
First if ive mistaken the section , please move the topic.
What do you think about Arthur Benjamin's theory ?
I am a bit confused , for me he is right and wrong in the same time. Stellenangebote
Let me know what is your opinion. Stellenmarkt
Last edited by JeremyJ; August 3rd, 2009 at 02:30 AM.
|
July 31st, 2009, 01:38 PM
|  | Member | | Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 169
Country:  Thanks: 73
Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts
| |
Process Algebra Diary: Arthur Benjamin's Proposal for Changing Maths Education
This guy?
I don't get it. I had to take math stats 1, and we used a lot of calculus (double integrals and what not), so how would be benifit from just one year of calculus and more stats? The stuff we used was from vector calculus and I know in more advanced stats course some analysis is used and advanced applied calculus. My school makes you take these classes: Intro computer programming, calc I-II, vector calculus, linear algebra, discrete math I, differential equations, foundations of math (proof writing), real analysis I, abstract algebra I, mathematical statistics I, and mathematical statistics II or intro to topology. Those are required for a BS. To me, these classes really seem to lay down a solid foundation for reading and understanding mathematical language. That way, when we do get jobs and have to learn some new maths, we have all the tools to understand whatever text or information we can get our hands on.
I don't like the idea of undergrad programs being so focused on one subject. I think we should be introduced to the big picture and the back bone of mathematics and build from there in grad school.
Thats just me...  |
July 31st, 2009, 03:50 PM
|  | Grand Panjandrum | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South of England
Posts: 11,373
Country:  Thanks: 667
Thanked 3,618 Times in 2,915 Posts
| |
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeremyJ  First if ive mistaken the section , please move the topic.
What do you think about Arthur Benjamin's theory ?
I am a bit confused , for me he is right and wrong in the same time.
Let me know what is your opinion. | 1. If we are talking about the video in the other post its not a theory its a dogma unless backed by evidence then its a policy proposal.
2. It's impossible because you could not find enough teachers to teach all high school students a significant amount of statistics (does the US teach calculus this widely in high school?).
3. Half baked teaching, what is the significance of two standard deviations to which he refers.
If this were evidence based he might have a case, otherwise it is the usual revolutionary educational reform proposal to change every thing because you can. US maths education might benefit by looking at how things are done in Europe (or elsewhere).
CB
__________________
Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.
Giordano Bruno |
July 31st, 2009, 04:21 PM
| | MHF Contributor | | Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,709
Thanks: 68
Thanked 2,482 Times in 2,276 Posts
| |
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainBlack 2. It's impossible because you could not find enough teachers to teach all high school students a significant amount of statistics (does the US teach calculus this widely in high school?).CB | The Advanced Placement (AP) program is widely used in secondary schools in the US. There are three AP courses in mathematics: AP Calculus(AB), AP Calculus(BC) and AP Statistics. I would guess that 60+ percent of US high schools offer some AP courses in mathematics. I have been told that an AP course in discrete mathematics is in the works. |
July 31st, 2009, 04:48 PM
|  | MHF Contributor | | Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Texas
Posts: 4,955
Country: Thanks: 40
Thanked 2,143 Times in 2,030 Posts
| |
the number of high schools in the U.S. that offer Advanced Placement Statistics has grown significantly when compared to the "well established" courses in AP Calculus ...
Number of high schools that offer each exam (years 1999 and 2008)
source ... http://professionals.collegeboard.co...ng_AP_11-3.pdf
(I rounded the data) AB Calculus , in 1999 ... 9300 , in 2008 ... 12200 BC Calculus , in 1999 ... 2900 , in 2008 ... 4900 AP Statistics , in 1999 ... 1800 , in 2008 ... 5300
The problem with math education in the U.S. is not those "apex" courses ... it's the lower level algebra, geometry, and basic statistics that need the most attention. |
July 31st, 2009, 11:07 PM
|  | Member | | Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 235
Thanks: 29
Thanked 33 Times in 30 Posts
| |
He's my professor. |
August 1st, 2009, 12:30 AM
| | Senior Member | | Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 267
Country:  Thanks: 107
Thanked 36 Times in 20 Posts
| |
Sounds to me like he's arguing that a spanner is better than a screwdriver. |
August 1st, 2009, 12:52 AM
| | Grand Panjandrum | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South of England
Posts: 11,373
Country: Thanks: 667
Thanked 3,618 Times in 2,915 Posts
| |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Plato The Advanced Placement (AP) program is widely used in secondary schools in the US. There are three AP courses in mathematics: AP Calculus(AB), AP Calculus(BC) and AP Statistics. I would guess that 60+ percent of US high schools offer some AP courses in mathematics. I have been told that an AP course in discrete mathematics is in the works. | But what percentage of students take such courses (the equivalent in the UK - AS and A-level maths and the percentage of the age group taking then is between 22 and 30%)
CB
__________________
Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.
Giordano Bruno |
August 1st, 2009, 02:57 AM
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 270
Country:  Thanks: 28
Thanked 75 Times in 69 Posts
| |
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainBlack But what percentage of students take such courses (the equivalent in the UK - AS and A-level maths and the percentage of the age group taking then is between 22 and 30%)
CB | Just nitpicking, I know, but the Scottish system uses Highers and Advanced Highers, not A-levels.
It's was the bane of my life trying to explain the difference to employers...(Highers are the university entrance grades, not the Advanced Highers, so invariably AH results are worse.) |
August 1st, 2009, 04:50 AM
| | Grand Panjandrum | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South of England
Posts: 11,373
Country: Thanks: 667
Thanked 3,618 Times in 2,915 Posts
| |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swlabr Just nitpicking, I know, but the Scottish system uses Highers and Advanced Highers, not A-levels.
It's was the bane of my life trying to explain the difference to employers...(Highers are the university entrance grades, not the Advanced Highers, so invariably AH results are worse.) | I stand corrected (its time we sorted out if this is one country or four one way or another).
CB
__________________
Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.
Giordano Bruno | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:45 PM. | | |
