From: CURTIS lOMAX <slomax94087@yahoo.com>
To: Teacher2Teacher Public Discussion
Date: 2003060416:16:32
Subject: : Purpose of studying algebra


"IN ANY CASE, THE ORIGINAL QUESTION SEEMS TO BE AIMED AT A
JUSTIFICATION FOR PLACATING TEENAGE CHILDREN. THAT SEEMS TO FALL UPON
THE PARENTS OF THE OFFSPRING. WHATEVER THE CHILDREN AND THEIR PEERS
MAY THINK INDEPENDENTLY, A DEGREE OF TRUST IN SUPPLYING WORTHWHILE
ACTIVITIES MUST BE INSTILLED, ASSUMING THAT THE PARENTS ARE WORTHY OF
THAT TRUST. IF THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF THAT TRUST, THEN PERHAPS THAT IS
NATURE'S WAY OF THINNING THE HERD."

I will maintain that before anyone puts in earnest work to understand
a new subject, they will want, even need, a reason.  Placating them
only insults their intelligence and demeans their effort.  The burden
of that reason falls on the instructor that requires the subject be
learned.  That reason both validates the instructor and the
requirement.  

Answer the WHY question properly and there will be more students and
less herd.

Trust is earned not instilled.  

Education is modern man's way of avoiding herd thinning.  I would hope
that a teacher's goal would be to broaden the herd.

Curtis Lomax

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