Re: RE: [MATHEDCC] FW: A student's perspective on MA's exit

Sandra CHANDLER (tcchans@tc.cc.va.us)
Thu, 17 Jun 1999 14:45:50 -0400

I had to take and pass a test that covered all the courses I had completed =
before I received my Master of Science in mathematics with a concentration =
in statistics. It was a take home that, I think, I had a week to =
complete. Most of the problems were real world applications with a little =
theory thrown in for good measure. It drove me nuts (I don't like tests), =
but at least I got to use the books when there was something that I =
couldn't quite remember. Of course, if I hadn't learned the information =
to begin with, I never would have been able to complete the test on time.

I see nothing wrong with testing high school students, but it should not =
be a standardized test. I don't like standardized tests at all. A test =
that tests knowledge and understanding is better than a yes and no test. =
Relating as much to the real world as possible is best. How that is done =
in all courses should be something the people who major in those courses =
can do without any trouble.

Had to throw in my penny's worth. :-)

Sandra Rena Chandler=20
Mathematics Faculty=20
Academic Division Web Site Coordinator/Publisher
Tidewater Community College - Moss Campus
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
757-822-1335
tcchans@tc.cc.va.us
http://onlinelearning.tc.cc.va.us/faculty/tcchans/
http://www.tc.cc.va.us/norfolk/acadiv/
--------------------------
"Mathematics is the alphabet with which God has written the universe." -- =
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

>>> <DustyGrigg@AOL.COM> 06/17 1:32 AM >>>
<snip>

So then if we continue this mode of thought, after a person completes a=20
series of courses in college, it would then follow that they would need =
to=20
take a test or series of tests ... before being able to =
receive=20
their B.A. Degree, Master's Degree, Ph.D. Since we are people who =
didn't=20
have to contend with such mandated tests to obtain our degrees ... it's=20
easier for us to say other people need to take such tests to prove =
their=20
knowledge before obtaining their degrees.<snip>

****************************************************************************
* 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/ *
****************************************************************************