Philosophy -- 92's at the high school level?

[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Philosophy -- 92's at the high school level?

I think Nick and Caitlin are trying essentially to say the same thing.
Both bring up very true points, from very different points of view:  that
of the secondary and that of the post-secondary, uh, well, student of
life (what level are you at, Nick?)


On Sat, 16 Nov 1996, Nicholas P Konidaris Ii wrote:


> Hmmm, in my high school I took precalc and calculus.
>
> I argue, that in general, classes using calculators produce inferior
> mathematicians.  Does everyone need to be a mathematician?  No.  If you
> are planning to be a math or science major, keep your calculator very
> far away.  If you are going into something like pre-med or engineering,
> calculators are a very valuable tool.
>
> A strong theoretical framework is 10x better than getting a 5 on the AP
> (Although it should lead you to one.)
>
> I now use the Ti92 because I understand the math behind what I let it
> do, I understand How it does it, and it's very good for lab-work.
>
> I can't stress this fact enough, Understand what you are doing, BEFORE
> you use the calculator.
>


I fully agree with Nick's philosophy, and I would argue that so does
Caitlin (or if not her, then her teachers), and I know that is how I use
them in teaching, even with my own, liberal arts oriented math classes.


For those who were worried, paper and pencil are still alive and well in
some places, although I will admit, they are no longer the end all be all
of mathematics education anymore.


        -- JBD






----------------------------------------------------------------------
|                |                                                    |
|    ---------   |  John M.H. Miyares (aka "Johnny Big Dog")          |
|        |       |  Home:  1 Kavanaugh Pl. Bar Harbor, ME  04609      |
|        |       |  Work:  Department of Mathematics, MDI High School |
|    ----+----   |  P.O. Box 180, Mount Desert, ME  04660             |
|        |       |  (h) (207) 288-8272                                |
|        |       |  (w) (207) 288-5011, Voice Mail Box #820           |
|    ____|       |  E-Mail:  jmiyares@mdihs.u98.k12.me.us             |
|                |                                                    |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
References: