Re: [MATHEDCC] Endless bad press

Jack Rotman (rotman@ALPHA.LANSING.CC.MI.US)
Tue, 07 Oct 1997 08:27:34 -0400

Al Roy (aroy@bristol.mass.edu) wrote:
>
> Hi All,
> Why not just admit that math is hard for students
> at any level who do not have the prerequisite knowledge for the level they
> are on. Algebra II is hard for a person who has little knowledge of
> Algebra I. The sequential nature of the math curriculum contributes
> mightily to its being hard. Adding two two digit numbers is hard for a
> student who cannot add two one digit numbers.
> Is Calculus hard? No, if you understand Elementary Functions,
> Trigonometry,and Advance Algebra. Is Calculus hard? Yes, if you do not
> understand Elementary......
> Keep the faith,
> Al Roy
>
I think this linear causality myth is part of our problem: There is the
implication that understanding the math is easy (i.e., magical) if you
just have the right background. This is a myth.

Human learning is much too complex to be this linear. Even if a learner
lacks specific prerequisite knowledge, some will succeed to both learn
the new material AND to fill in the missing knowledge. Also, learners
often report that their understanding escalates when they go to the next
level. [For more on this, search a library catalog for "cognitive
science" or "learning theories"; there are some very interesting things
out there, I am sure.]

How much "understanding" of the prerequisite material is truly needed?
I think this is a difficult question, full of places to let our
assumptions lead us down the wrong path.

In any case, I will never admit that math is "hard" for any student; I
might advise them that they don't appear to be ready to learn this
material.
Jack

-- 
        <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<   from    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
        Jack Rotman                   phone (517)483-1079
        Math Professor        ROTMAN@ALPHA.LANSING.CC.MI.US
        Lansing Community College             Lansing, MI
        "Like all art & science, mathematics surrounds us."
        <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<  Math Success !  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
        dept web page http://www.lansing.cc.mi.us/sas/mathsci
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