|
|
Re: If you really want math reform....
Posted:
Jan 14, 2007 10:45 PM
|
|
A couple of points on induction, etc.
I've posted here before my experience last spring co-teaching a
discrete math for teachers course (the instructor of record being a
mathematician has published a discrete math text and research
articles in the field). He decided about four weeks or so into the
course to teach mathematical induction (with a few standard examples
of the sums of the first n integers, first n squares, etc.). The
students appeared almost without exception to be hopelessly confused
both as to the method and the concept they were being shown (and
though this mathematician generally teaches a lot by what he believes
to be a guided discovery approach) in this case he was pretty
straightforward with the class, but as I've said, to no apparent avail).
Eventually, I introduced the "Gauss Trick" as a way to help see it
from another viewpoint, and to help increase their "belief" in the
formula. I was successful with these limited goals, but that was as
far as it went: they still found induction a mystery. My colleague
became increasingly frustrated, as did the students. Few did at all
well on the midterm, and particularly they bombed on induction. This
led to some things of interest only to those who care about pedagogy,
so I'll save it for my memoirs. But the relevant point here is,
rather, a question:
For those who believe that the principal of induction is an important
(indeed, vital) mathematical tool (or technique, method, concept,
etc.): any thoughts on how to better get folks who aren't
mathematicians or future mathematicians to "get" it? (And trust me,
we looked at the domino metaphor and my colleague and I probably
waltzed around this in a variety of other ways. No dice.)
Any suggestions other than what boils down to "louder and slower"
would be appreciated. :)
|
|
