RE: [MATHEDCC] student preparation

Nancy Sattler (nsattler@TERRA.CC.OH.US)
Thu, 19 Nov 1998 14:47:19 -0500

Gerald,
This is a common problem that is seen all over. One of the reasons for =
this is the fact that many students are used to always doing their =
mathematics with a calculator and the COMPASS test does not allow the =
use of the calculator at the present time. (This will change next year =
when COMPASS will have a version which allows the use of a calculator.)

Another reason for this is the fact that many students don't really =
LEARN mathematics but rather MEMORIZE what is necessary to pass their =
classes. Many do not understand the reason for performing a particular =
algorithym but rather do things by rote. Once the student gets alway =
from doing things by "rote" the short term memory forgets-- the long =
term memory never remembered and students perform poorly on placement =
tests.

The TIMMS study shows that we need to do things differently in the U.S. =
Many States (Ohio among them) are forming coalitions to improve =
mathematics education. I am really interested to hear what others are =
doing to make sure that students LEARN mathematics!

Nancy

-----Original Message-----
From: Krusinski, Gerald R. [SMTP:Krusinsk@cdnet.cod.edu]
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 1998 11:05 AM
To: 'mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu'
Subject: [MATHEDCC] student preparation

I'm interested in hearing if you are finding that students right out of =
high
school and coming to the community college are unprepared to tackle =
college
level math courses. Many of these students report that they have taken 3 =
or
4 years of high school math, receiving B's or C's in these classes. Yet =
they
take the COMPASS placement test and receive scores that place them in =
the
lowest developmental class that we offer. Are you finding the same =
thing?
I'm interested in your responses.=20
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