Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking. Login or Take a Tour!
But how many people actually take calculus? Not many.
I would say at a bare minimum math should be taught through geometry. Many tradespeople (carpenters, pipe fitters, etc) use geometry extensively at work. People do DIY home improvement all the time, too. It's important for people to know how to build things. Beyond that though, math is pretty esoteric. Still, the opportunity to pursue these courses should be available to students.
I agree, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry are part of basic numeracy. I think what the author is railing against are the attempts to turn as many people as possible into potential engineers and financiers. Math matters, but trying to turn an entire society into Wall Street and Silicon Valley is a recipe for educational disaster.
–
thenewgreen · 4669 days ago · link ·
- trying to turn an entire society into Wall Street and Silicon Valley is a recipe for educational disaster.
I always felt bad for the nursing students forced to take two semesters of the science/engineering statistics. Fortunately the professors generally found out why students were taking the class and gave a little slack to students who were in over their head but forced to take it as a requirement.