Teaching Math

Commentary on religious fundamentalists' efforts to alter the way math and other subjects are taught.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• math
• fundamentalist
• religion
• bible
• teaching
• science
• class
• school

[mmain63]

It is very frustrating to see children's education fall victim to people with religious fears. Open minds and creative thiniking are not the exclusive domain of non religious people. I do not see anything wrong with teaching children basic math skills or memorizixng facts and then allow them to build thieir thining upon a firm foundation. To claim that memorization is not learning is just false. And isn't it ironic so many who learned the "old" way, who turned out fine, fight for changes?

[Madcow800]

they must have brought it back then cuz in my school we learn it by finding out how it works

[MrTheVaadin]

You did not get what the man sad. Math = Logic. Listen more until you start asking questions. I have the first. Are we unable to logical thinking so we have to memorise everything?

[224720]

I am really sorry you had to listen to that guy, AtCenter. Clearly he had no idea what he was talking about. Only someone with a political agenda of his own could link math education (which ever way you lean) to creationism.

I would tell him you agree with his idea (that the "new" way is better) if that is the case, but his conclusion is hasty at best.

[yort45]

math teachers teach a subject that kids hate due to this "old way". this memorization is dumb but easy for a TENURED, underpaid, unmotivated adults who have no respect or interest in other peoples kids to teach.

[ShingoEX]

Memorization isn't learning. You can teach a parrot to memorize a phrase of English, but it doesn't mean it understands it.

[Elguapoloc0]

It's sad that those abusive environments exist, and I'm sorry that you've had to experience that. But that is not true of all private schools. Abuse takes place in public school as well. The imbalance I'm addressing is while we discuss competing perspectives, the public schools do not do the same. I agree that "no specific organization should have that much control", but that means the state should also be responsible to have public schools allow students to think critically about thses issues.

[itrod123]

The hole point here is Religion has to much control on Education, there is a place and time for everything, no specific organization should have that much influence on Educations I grow up in Catholic school were every student is beaten at some point in their school years. Just for not reaching to class on time or not memorizing your time tables would get you beaten by your teacher. That types of behavior can be seen as slavery if you will because it's not effective or positive in any way.

[Elguapoloc0]

What a joke. I teach math in a Christian school, and free inquiry is a key element of my classroom. It may be enlightening for some to know that it is actually proponents of evolution who want to silence even the mention of anything related to creation theory, such as intelligent design. We have no problem presenting evolution along side creation, as well it's problems as a theory. Interesting that evolution's problems are not dicussed in most science classes. Who is it again who has an agenda?

[krisssstoffer]

not only a good point, but a well composed and eloquent one as well.