Alberta Moving Ahead With 21st Century Learning

[Michael Hardner]

Any educational research that I've been introduced to through ProD sessions is always very sound. I'm not sure what you are talking about here.

Ok. Let's explore this further. Do you want to pick an example and we'll look at it ?

[socialist]

Ok. Let's explore this further. Do you want to pick an example and we'll look at it ?

Take the time to read this, Michael. It will open you to a new way of thinking about math education. It explains why the basics in math don't add up. You can learn a lot from this short article.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/math.htm

[GostHacked]

Here is a math resource that is awesome. The problem many of you have is that you do not understand the difference between arithmetic and mathematics. 2+2 is arithmetic. Deep understanding of the subject, even through a social justice lens is a benefit for all society.

A knowledgeable educator would know that arithmetic IS mathematics.

[Michael Hardner]

Take the time to read this, Michael. It will open you to a new way of thinking about math education. It explains why the basics in math don't add up. You can learn a lot from this short article.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/math.htm

Ok... well, I think the results of alternative teachings showed promise but to my mind present an opportunity to enhance the old methods rather than replacing them.

Also there needs to be a better way to describe and engage the public than such articles.

[Michael Hardner]

A knowledgeable educator would know that arithmetic IS mathematics.

Not really. Mathematics is a scientific field that includes such things as 'pure math' which definitely isn't arithmetic.

[GostHacked]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arithmetic

Arithmetic or arithmetics (from the Greek ἀριθμός arithmos, "number") is the oldest[1] and most elementary branch of mathematics. It consists in the study of numbers, especially the properties of the traditional operations between them — addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Arithmetic is an elementary part of number theory, and number theory is considered to be one of the top-level divisions of modern mathematics, along with algebra, geometry, and analysis. The terms arithmetic and higher arithmetic were used until the beginning of the 20th century as synonyms for number theory and are, sometimes, still used to refer to a wider part of number theory.[2]

Just so we are clear on this.

[Bob Macadoo]

Take the time to read this, Michael. It will open you to a new way of thinking about math education. It explains why the basics in math don't add up. You can learn a lot from this short article.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/math.htm

Here's what I got from the article is this.....which is exactly how I educate my children;

I rely on schools to educate my children, I rely on myself to reinforce that learning. That is why alot of people are defensive to "progressive learning"; you need to be hands-on with your children's education not just an advocate.

I "drill" my children at home as real life situations present themselves with respect to arithmetic, trigonometry, etc. Its easy.....and I don't want schools doing easy work. I want them performing the descriptions in the article; Review common misteps in answering a question, not just that its wrong, have discussions about usefulness, or observations about application.

Education isn't an either/or discussion......there are just so many hours in the day, what is going to be teacher taught and what is going to be parent taught. I'd prefer the teacher show the origins of the theorm......I'll reinforce and feedback about its retention.

All parents want to be advocates for their children but in this service economy we live in, they think somehow they can do it without providing some of those contract services themselves.

[Michael Hardner]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arithmetic

Just so we are clear on this.

Thanks for clarification, I agree that arithmetic is the most natural branch of math. Pure math, by the way, is very similar to arithmetic in the first stages...

[Michael Hardner]

Education isn't an either/or discussion......there are just so many hours in the day, what is going to be teacher taught and what is going to be parent taught. I'd prefer the teacher show the origins of the theorm......I'll reinforce and feedback about its retention.

Well said.