I agree with rjstegbauer in that there's a difference between using a computational engine such as Wolfram|Alpha and actually doing it by hand. As a math student, I know that being taught the lesson and the reasoning behind it is much more fulfilling than simply looking at the data of the question and inputting it into my calculator for an answer.
My sons use their calculators as a crutch to compute the answers to their homework...without understanding the concepts behind the question. Their teachers told them to punch these buttons in this order to find the answer.
I'm not saying that this is the best way to teach math. I agree with Mr. Wolfram that math education should be made more conceptual and practical. But that's not how we are doing it now.
What he's saying is that enough time is wasted in math classes on JUST calculation, that often the underlying concept is lost anyway. I can relate; I did HORRIBLE in math classes, especially algebra, because of my penmanship. I understood the processes, but because of my poor handwriting my ability to calculate was crippled, and thus I did worse than others who didn't understand the concepts but calculated correctly. With this method, it wouldn't have been an issue in the slightest.
I think a stronger focus on proofs would be great. Manual calculation is math masturbation.
fungiside 2 years ago
I agree with rjstegbauer in that there's a difference between using a computational engine such as Wolfram|Alpha and actually doing it by hand. As a math student, I know that being taught the lesson and the reasoning behind it is much more fulfilling than simply looking at the data of the question and inputting it into my calculator for an answer.
TreyRothell 2 years ago
I don't think he really answered the question.
My sons use their calculators as a crutch to compute the answers to their homework...without understanding the concepts behind the question. Their teachers told them to punch these buttons in this order to find the answer.
I'm not saying that this is the best way to teach math. I agree with Mr. Wolfram that math education should be made more conceptual and practical. But that's not how we are doing it now.
Randy
rjstegbauer 2 years ago
What he's saying is that enough time is wasted in math classes on JUST calculation, that often the underlying concept is lost anyway. I can relate; I did HORRIBLE in math classes, especially algebra, because of my penmanship. I understood the processes, but because of my poor handwriting my ability to calculate was crippled, and thus I did worse than others who didn't understand the concepts but calculated correctly. With this method, it wouldn't have been an issue in the slightest.
TremorX 2 years ago
Not a great lecture, but at least Wolfram is stating what is right in front of your nose.
dashendorf 2 years ago