>At 07:09 AM 4/9/99 -0700, RayM wrote:
>[snip]
>
>>In particular, in a job interview, when I ask, "Do you have experience with
>>Windows NT?", and the candidate answers, "No, I used a TI-89" what do you
>>think my response should be?
>STUDENT EXPERIENCE WITH WINDOWS NT COMES FROM THE COMPUTER SCIENCE
>DEPARTMENT. I AGREE COLLEGES SHOULD REQUIRE INTRO-TYPE COURSES WHERE
>STUDENTS LEARN THE BASICS OF A COMPUTER. BUT CERTAINLY NOT IN THE MATH
>CLASSROOM.
>
>Ed
I disagree with Ed here (and wish he'd get a new keyboard that
does lower case as well).
The computer is a goldmine of math concepts. Logic gates and
binary representation. Permutations. The notion of operators,
algorithms, and the sequencing thereof. Plus object oriented
thinking has proved a bonanza as well -- works very well in
tandem with spatial geometry, since polyhedra are objects with
properties.[1] Our curriculum gets to flatlander Euclidean stuff
by way of spatial geometry (spatial modeling first, proofs about
triangles later).[2]
We're looking at blueprints for a charter school here in Oregon.
We'll probably be calling it a "high school" for legal reasons,
but plan to admit a full range of qualified individuals (in
competition of community colleges, or in complement, depending
on how we're received).
Teachers will need to know some Java -- yes, I'm talking math
teachers. Our math center will be very high tech and showcase
the direction schools really should be taking, given all the
advances over the last few decades.[3] Obviously we've got
some sponsors with capital.
Our expectation is once more parents start seeing what the
Silicon Forest is doing to showcase experimental, prototype
schools of tomorrow, there will be no turning back. This
should help all schools leverage a bigger piece of the pie,
as I think public opinion will become reinvigorated around
the math issue -- many adults will wish to enroll and "really
get it" this time around (and they really will, in the kinds
of trainings we provide for them).
Kirby
Oregon Curriculum Network
http://www.inetarena.com/~pdx4d/ocn/
[1] http://www.inetarena.com/~pdx4d/ocn/oop.html
(also article in March 1999 issue of FoxPro Advisor)
[2] http://www.inetarena.com/~pdx4d/ocn/urner.html
[3] http://www.teleport.com/~pdx4d/mathcenter.html
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