http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better- <p>I've been a mathematics teacher in public and private schools for the past 25 years, and if there is one point of agreement, it is that nobody agrees on how math should best be taught. The result has been some piece of fiction known as the &quot;math wars&quot; which was created by the anti-reseach people who want to teach mathematics in the same format as it was done 50 years ago, under the mistaken impression that if we brought back &quot;the good old days,&quot; mathematics achievement would improve.</p> <p>The problem in our schools is not that we've fallen behind in mathematics; it's that we failed to move ahead. Every other country in the world has been using research-based methods to improve their math programs, and we are still using the same materials and methodology that was seen back in the 1950's.</p> <p>Worse yet, the world of mathematics in schools looks nothing like the &quot;real&quot; world of mathematics used by doctors, engineers, architects, exonomists, business people, and, oddly enough, mathematicians. If you asked a mathematician what mathematics is, he/she would answer, &quot;it's the study of patterns&quot;&nbsp;or something similar. They would <strong>not</strong> say it's about adding or subtracting numbers, or memorizing formulas. They would talk about modeling situations, looking for the optimal solution or trying to find connections between different mathematical ideas.</p> <p>What it all comes down to is this: we can either stay where we are, and do this very low level, superficial classroom activity and call it &quot;mathematics&quot; or we can start looking at what mathematics really is and start turing our kids on to truth and beauty.</p> GreatSchools en-us jennis Two things must be admitted: 1) our kids, by every measure available, do not know basic math as they did in past generatations (high school graduates not knowing basic calculations, ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=1#comment_500613 4100.500613 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:45:17 -0700 toucansam I read Jo Boaler's book, based on the recommendations in this post. I was right with her until I read the chapter on Ability Grouping. Her arguments against AG assume ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=1#comment_496765 4100.496765 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:25:41 -0700 california97 Well said http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=1#comment_496474 4100.496474 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:22:25 -0700 MsBear I partly agree with energizer comments. It may not be fair to compare US to Asian country. But teacher in Asian country also faces students with broad capability. In my ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=1#comment_471225 4100.471225 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:03:48 -0700 energizer I was reading the information about mathematics being taught in other countries and the need of extending school hours and the school days. This is being discussed heavily right now ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=1#comment_469648 4100.469648 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:18:37 -0700 michellea The fact that our school day and school year in the US is shorter, is a HUGE math problem in itself. Most schools in the US devote one period a ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=2#comment_468628 4100.468628 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:36:43 -0700 rmberkman This conversation has gotten quite lively, which confirms two things: first, people are actually interested in math and how it is taught, and people are still frustrated about how math ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=2#comment_468170 4100.468170 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:06:51 -0700 jennis Kids today are not learning as they learned fifty years ago. Not even close. Most (almost all) public school systems advance middle school children to the next grade irrespective of ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=2#comment_466032 4100.466032 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:57:32 -0700 iluvagaupt I love math. I have always been good at it yet I am learning more every day. There are great and interesting web-sites about math and they are showing different ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=2#comment_438776 4100.438776 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:44:56 -0700 energizer Hi, I am a Kindergarten teacher. Several years ago, I was terrified about teaching math. I struggled with math myself throughout my entire educational learning experience. I was so delighted ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=2#comment_437865 4100.437865 Sun, 31 May 2009 19:12:39 -0700 rmberkman This Jo Boaler book is very interesting, and when you set it alongside other books about the cognitive aspects of mathematics, a lot of our current practice falls short. As ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=3#comment_426435 4100.426435 Fri, 15 May 2009 05:54:35 -0700 michellea Msbear,I think you are saying exactly what my son's school is saying. Understanding is not mastery. Mastery is necessary. We teach a lot of complicated stuff early - and maybe ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=3#comment_426422 4100.426422 Fri, 15 May 2009 05:24:48 -0700 MsBear I'm one of "Imported scientist" from Asia. I was a little surprised that American engineering students were not really good at Math. I ended up get a job and live ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=3#comment_426363 4100.426363 Thu, 14 May 2009 22:18:36 -0700 1seremen Great question! My daughter asked me this question when she turned seven. I think Mathematics is a way life and it should be taught as it relate to all aspects ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=3#comment_424997 4100.424997 Wed, 13 May 2009 10:42:08 -0700 MagnetMom rmberkman,You do realize, hysteria sells. And truthfully, when people are talking about their life's work (the teachers), or their offspring (the parents), it does get a little hysterical.My kids are ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=3#comment_424875 4100.424875 Wed, 13 May 2009 09:13:12 -0700 rmberkman Ah, I forgot - yes, I did get an advanced copy because I met Dr. Boaler at a mathematics conference. What I like about the book is that it is ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=4#comment_424868 4100.424868 Wed, 13 May 2009 09:02:04 -0700 MagnetMom I tried looking the book up, and it's not released in the US until June 30th. Did you get an advance copy? Can you talk about what interests you in ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=4#comment_424847 4100.424847 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:35:04 -0700 hockeymum I have only started to master basic mutilpication by reviewing math homework with my children. I too was a math student pushed to each new concept without understanding or passing ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=4#comment_424815 4100.424815 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:10:14 -0700 rmberkman I'm reading Jo Boaler's wonderful book on mathematics education, "What's Math Got To Do With It?" Boaler is a researcher who has worked in the UK and the US and ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=4#comment_424814 4100.424814 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:09:30 -0700 michellea Jennis - you are absolutely right about other countries requiring mastery before moving on to other concepts. In the US, most states (CA and FL for example) require that 1st ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=4#comment_424748 4100.424748 Wed, 13 May 2009 06:44:48 -0700 MagnetMom Hi rmberkman, You bring up some interesting points. I only got to Trig in high school and definitely it wasn't my strong suit. My son is a college freshman, majoring ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=5#comment_424637 4100.424637 Tue, 12 May 2009 20:46:24 -0700 peacenut rmberkman-Please don't bash the teachers. I have no input whatsoever into our school calendar. Many of my friends and colleagues would love a year-round calendar. Change occurs when it begins ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=5#comment_424330 4100.424330 Tue, 12 May 2009 14:44:00 -0700 rmberkman John,The reason we get beaten by many other countries is a complex issue. I saw an excellent presentation by Zalman Usiskin last year who discussed TIMMS, SIMMS and PISA and ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=5#comment_423535 4100.423535 Mon, 11 May 2009 18:41:49 -0700 jennis The other countries (which embarass us in international testing) do two things that our most progressive education experts hate: they refuse to advance children unless they have proven proficiency, and ... http://community.greatschools.net/advice/887/What-is-mathematics-and-how-can-we-change-the-teaching-of-it-for-the-better-?cpage=5#comment_423440 4100.423440 Mon, 11 May 2009 15:52:20 -0700