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RotmanJ
Posts:
95
Registered:
12/6/04
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Mathematical Reasoniong? Quantitative Literacy?
Posted:
Oct 26, 2011 9:38 AM
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I would like to draw our attention to a problem - really more of an opportunity. Many of our colleges have begun to focus on courses like mathematical reasoning or quantitative literacy (or another combination of those words) in their general education mathematics requirement. This, I think, is a good thing.
What is not so good is that we lack a shared understanding of what these phrases mean. So, if you are willing, let's have a discussion about what these phrases mean.
You might start by sharing what you see as the differences between the word 'quantitative' and the word 'mathematical'. You might also do the same for 'reasoning' and 'literacy'.
The goal of this process is help our profession be more consistent (if possible) in using these labels. This consistency would help our students when they transfer from one institution to another, and also would help us communicate about our curriculum. It might even help people who write textbooks and materials for us to use in these courses.
What do these words mean to you? What should they mean to our profession?
Jack Rotman
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
Lansing Community College
rotmanj@lcc.edu <mailto:rotmanj@lcc.edu> 517.483.1079
www.devmathrevival.net ç see my blog for my discussion of these words and phrases
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