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Re: Mathematics and Learning: Polya
Posted:
Aug 22, 1994 5:21 PM
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On Mon, 22 Aug 1994, Walter Whiteley wrote:
> It is true that only schematics versions of 'life problems'
> lead to general mathematical theory.
> However:
> (a) the students bring 'life' into the classroom with them.
Oh, yes, of course. Our job is to teach them to schematize it.
> (b) the process of moving from life to the APPROPRIATE' schematic
> is part of mathematics (applied mathematics).
>
> Isn't there room for some movement in the class which involves some 'life'
> (open-ended messy problems of potential complexity) and the theory?
> Even when I think I have already done this - I have been struck by
> what happens when students ('good students') try to work back from
> the theory to a real, physical example. The experience reveals
> a lot of misunderstanding. The learning which happens then seems
> essential to a well-rounded course of mathematics.
>
> Walter Whiteley
> York University
All this is true.
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