The Evolution of Teaching Math
I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried... Why do I tell you this? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1960s:
1. Teaching Math In 1960s (when I was in school)
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?
2. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ? Yes or No
4. Teaching Math In 1990s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math In 2000s
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok).
6. Teaching Math In 2010
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
ANSWER: His profit was $375,000 because his logging business is just a front for his pot farm.
PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH QUESTION ABOVE!
Cloud fixing to take a dump on earth!
OK--SO I HAVE A CRAPPY OUTLOOK TODAY! BUT I AM GOING TO A GREAT SEAFOOD RESTAURANT TONIGHT AND GORGE MYSELF!!!
LOVE YOU ALL
JMc
I am envious. There's no such thing as a great seafood restaurant here.
ReplyDeleteSigh
I'm going to make chicken stew out of whatever I find in the fridge.
Your joke wasn't so far off. I had to teach one of my employees how to count out change when she'd accidentally closed that part of the program. I'm sure others could have used the tutoring but were afraid to let me know they didn't know.
Jeannie--we have some good ones being 90 minutes from the coast.
ReplyDeleteAlso--Have you ever been in a store when the Computers went down! OMG--They can't do manual transactions at all!!
Be sure to choke the chicken first! ;-)
J
I made a point of teaching my kids how to count back change since I wasn't sure they'd learn it anywhere else! If your bill is say, $18.25 try giving them a twenty and a quarter. Even with the cash register it will often throw them off!!
ReplyDeleteKelly-- If it ain't on the screen--they can't do it! I agree.
ReplyDeleteJ
Holy Shit! What a twist!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great dinner.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame, isn't it!
BragonDorn--The Math, The Cloud or the Restaurant???-- ;-)!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJ
Joan-- I'm stuffed to the gills--!!! Get it--Gills--ar ar. Ok I'll go lay down now!
J
Uhhhhhhhh The answer to number 1 is 1/5 is his profit. The rest was just to complicated for me. John you must know by now that Dr. Spock ruined children for the next 100 years or so or until his damn child rearing books have all been bug eaten off the face of the earth.
ReplyDeleteBesides who needs mathematics when everyone is going to get an easy degree as a MFA? Which is why I am sooooo happy both my sons went into two different areas of engineering and my daughter is an EMS. Not a damned poet in the bunch.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right-- Pass without trying and prosper--we will supply you! a la Dr Spock and Big Brother. I didn't know your Daughter was in my Field! And two Engineers--awesome Buddy! But you need a budding poet to yes?????
BBB
J
Not a surprise really. I feel that the introduction and use of calculators in maths lessons (not to mention some maths exams) started this trend.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I still remember those that carried slide rules to class! That was over my head but was a working , problem solving tool!
ReplyDeleteJ