Math Class

Learning by Adam on 2008-05-10 03:57

“…if I had to design a mechanism for the express purpose of destroying a child’s natural curiosity and love of pattern-making, I couldn’t possibly do as good a job as is currently being done — I simply wouldn’t have the imagination to come up with the kind of senseless, soul- crushing ideas that constitute contemporary mathematics education.

Everyone knows that something is wrong. The politicians say, “we need higher standards.” The schools say, “we need more money and equipment.” Educators say one thing, and teachers say another. They are all wrong. The only people who understand what is going on are the ones most often blamed and least often heard: the students. They say, “math class is stupid and boring,” and they are right.”

From A Mathematician’s Lament, by way of BetterExplained

2 comments per 'Math Class'

  1. Cat says:

    Heh. If grad school is teaching me anything, it generally doesn’t get any better. Most American math teachers aren’t particularly good, and most American math textbooks are simply gawd-awful. Interestly, apparently Russian textbooks are among the best in the world.

  2. online tutor says:

    Making money O

    Adam @ Dusk

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