Re: [MATHEDCC] If factoring is not important

Edward Laughbaum (elaughba@MATH.OHIO-STATE.EDU)
Thu, 01 Apr 1999 07:41:25 -0500

At 07:26 PM 3/31/99 -0500, Bret Taylor wrote:
>At 11:18 AM 3/31/99 -0800, Sandy Wagner wrote:
>>Bret, first I'm only talking about polynomial factoring, not numerical or
>>common factor factoring. I see value in both of them for different reasons.
>>For polynomial factoring I think we should distinguish between the *process*
>>of finding factors and the theorems themselves. So few (essentially 0%) of
>>polynomials are factorable by pencil and paper that I think we waste a lot
>>of our time and our students' time with the processes when there are so many
>>more interesting and valuable things we could be doing. And remember, the
>>*only* places that trinomials are factored are in the math classroom and
>>(decreasingly so) on SAT's etc.. Ask any engineer.
>>-Sandy
>
>I understand what you are saying, and I agree your points are valid.
>However, I still think understanding the concept of factoring polynomials is
>important. Especially using graphing calculator technology, students tend
>to just memorize and regurgitate rather than understand the relationship
>between x-intercepts, factors, and zeroes.
___________________________________
Bret,

I am courious about how you know that "...using graphing calculator
technology...students...memorize and regurgitate...". Do you think this is
so because most teachers do not know how to teach with the graphing
calculator? Or because all algebra textbooks don't integrate the use of
graphing calculators appropriately? Or is this something you think to be
true based on experience? Or have you seen research on the issue?

Ed
_______________________________________

****************************************************************************
* To post to the list: email mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu *
* To unsubscribe, send mail to: majordomo@archives.math.utk.edu *
* In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe mathedcc *
* Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! *
* Archives at http://archives.math.utk.edu/hypermail/mathedcc/ *
****************************************************************************