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Re: Algebraic Manipulation
Posted:
May 26, 1999 1:15 AM
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I am more than a little bothered by the idea that we should only be teaching
division to our very best. The original part of this strand was about how to
engage students in a discussion so that they would understand algorithms.
The example was about understanding division. So now we have before us a
proposal that admits that it we may leave mediocre students behind but hhat
is O.K.?
I really hope there is sarcasim in this reply that I have missed. I would
hate to think that there are educators who believe, indeed even advocate,
that we do not have a deep obligation to reach the "mediocre" students with
basic mathematical ideas.
>On 25 May 1999, Sanjoy Mahajan wrote:
>
>>
>> So I wonder, how can we guide students to struggle with just a few
>> important ideas? The struggle doesn't have to last months or years;
>> somewhere between hours and days seems about right.
>>
> Easy. Just give them problems as homework and tell them that
>homework will constitute 40% of their final grade. They will struggle.
>Give them hints during the next class and say that the ones that solve
>them by the next class will get 3/4 of the credit and so on, more hints
>-- less credit.
> You may lose the mediocre students this way, but the best will
>get the best results.
John Benson (School) (Home)
Evanston Township High School 715 South Boulevard
Evanston Illinois 60204 Evanston IL 60202-2907
(847) 492-5848 Phone (847) 328-8019 Phone
(847) 492-3872 Fax (847) 328-8920 Fax
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