Comments on: Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century

By: Mahesh Dhruv

Mahesh Dhruv — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:24:43 +0000

I am from Mumbai,India.From 2004 to 2009 I taught mental speed maths to primary students and the result was good.Problem of poor grounding in math is very common throught the world. I am of the firm opinion that multiplication tables from 1 x 1 = 1 to 40 x 25 = 1000 if learnt by heart before the students reach the age of 10 and follow some simple techniques they will have full confidence and better interest in the subject and their grasping would be better. I am personaly interested in making and takingthe project to let the world know the importance of multiplication tables and mental speed maths in enhancing interest in the subject in toto from day one in the school and interestingly this will help him/her throughout his/her life.Those interested may contact me for 3 years project at:thanksresponding@yahoo.com.

By: Math education in America is failing to prepare students for the 21st century « Jmath International

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:29:32 +0000

[...] Original source: http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2008/06/08/math-education-in-america-is-failing-to-prepare-students-fo... [...]

By: Revathi Sankaran

Revathi Sankaran — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:08:50 +0000

Amazing article yes i agree with your view. I am from India and i am a right brain educator, we teach vedic mathts for the kids at the age of 3 years and early education or the doman method of education from zero to 3 years...The importance given to maths skills is more in India and china and you have brought this to information to your blog viewers and i am sure some brain stimulation will happen along these area for some modification in your traching curriculum... .-= Revathi Sankaran´s last blog ..Baby Soft Spot |Precautions|Concerns|Secrets =-.

By: Greg Anderson

Greg Anderson — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:57:34 +0000

Mathew, I must disagree. Have you ever tried to integrate a particularly nasty rational function without the time tested arithmetic algorithms used to manipulate the integrand into something you can actually apply the rules to?

By: tracy

tracy — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:29:39 +0000

Elona,
I agree that, in theory, it is really simple when you think about it. But when you are doing it, when you are a teacher with 30+ students in your class, 5+ of them with IEPs and others who probably should have them but don’t officially…Well, I think it is our responsibility to offer a lot of PD to ensure that teachers are able to offer the choices that are needed (as well as our responsibility to seek it out!)

By: Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:17:31 +0000

Tracy,
It’s true that teachers generally teach to their preferred learning style.

When kids tell me that they don’t get something because the teacher can’t/didn’t teach it, I talk about students’ learning styles and teachers’ teaching style being out of sync.

As a special ed teacher who writes IEP’s that include accommodations teachers need to make to help the particular student be more successful, I find the problem often is a mismatch of teaching and learning styles.

I talk to the teachers about the student’s preferred learning style and ask that the teacher make sure that she includes that learning style in her lesson plans. She can use the IEP accommodations as her guide to help her cover all the bases.

It’s really simple when you think about it.

By: tracy

tracy — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:31:30 +0000

You ask great questions, Elona, as usual!
Why can’t we focus on both? Hmmm…

In general, teachers teach in their preferred learning style. Especially when they are asked to teach out of their comfort zone, which often happens in high school (eg – generalists being assigned math or science classes…).

As teachers, we need to be aware of different learning styles and teach content from within different perspectives – offering choice for students while still holding high standards for learning.

I think that is the only way to offer creativity AND content.

By: Gary Sharma

Gary Sharma — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:53:02 +0000

Great article and good comments. I agree. The best outcome will be to combine both cultures and push for imbibing good practices from each other.
It is good to see mass market affordable math tutoring from online companies like TutorVista.com that my kids use – $ 100 per month unlimited one-on-one tuitions using Indian teachers . I have been using for last 18 months with good results. As a parent living in US , I feel core math skill is invaluable and our school system just does not give that. Hence I went to TutorVista.com.
On all other aspects , US education , schooling is great ( my kids attend a public school in Florida )
Gary

By: Mathew

Mathew — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:39:04 +0000

I think we focus too much on algorithms and not enough on a conceptual understanding of numbers and operations.