How does this compare to current math education? At one time it was considered important to be familiar with the values of trigonometric functions, to intimately understand arithmetic, etc. Nowadays, most of these chores are done on calculators. There is a semi-retired gentleman here who knows all this; he can essentially do three-dimensional Fourier transforms in his head. Nonetheless, I can with computers do in one afternoon what would have taken him months in the old days. Who is the more accomplished?
Why does Mr Cothran insist on stopping education with what was known in the 1500's? Why are science and other "modern" subjects anathema to him? Why do students who take AP subjects do better on the SAT than those who take Latin?
You'll get kids who can't survive without their calculators, for one thing. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ opinion/2003674945_sundaymath22.html (take out the space) - catch my meaning?
2 comments:
How does this compare to current math education? At one time it was considered important to be familiar with the values of trigonometric functions, to intimately understand arithmetic, etc. Nowadays, most of these chores are done on calculators. There is a semi-retired gentleman here who knows all this; he can essentially do three-dimensional Fourier transforms in his head. Nonetheless, I can with computers do in one afternoon what would have taken him months in the old days. Who is the more accomplished?
Why does Mr Cothran insist on stopping education with what was known in the 1500's? Why are science and other "modern" subjects anathema to him? Why do students who take AP subjects do better on the SAT than those who take Latin?
j a higginbotham
You'll get kids who can't survive without their calculators, for one thing. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/
opinion/2003674945_sundaymath22.html (take out the space) - catch my meaning?
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