Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig
I'm not sure how anyone can learn math (as opposed to arithmetic) in american secondary schools. Based on my kids classes, they only teach techniques for solving specific types of problem and are very weak on the underlying theory. Even undergrad engineering math seems to be taught from a cookbook point of view. I was in grad school before I really understood some of the math that I had been using for the previous 10 years. I don't know why some people "get it" and others don't; some people can see through all the mechanics of solving equations and see what's underneath and others just learn how to follow the steps. I think one of my daughters actually "gets it."
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Three points here:
Point 1. I think women have long shown themselves to be very adept at math, but we men didn't notice the applications, or disregarded them.
Women have for years done sewing, cooking in various quantities; food preparation; creation of home products like soap and candles; calculated feed; handled all the bills and accounts.
These are all practical, necessary and highly IMPORTANT applications of arithmetic, geometry, trig and algebra, if the men are willing to think a little outside the box.
Point 2: The American school system makes the learning of any complex system virtually impossible without lots of practuice on the outside. Think you can excel in a HS band if you only practice during class time? The same with foreign languages, applied sciences, and of course, math. Besides, I have serious doubts that many of our HS teachers do more than repeat the book and coillect their pay, they don't, except in private schools I've visited, force the kind of intellectual effort that leads to development. They aren't focused on being centers of learning to the degree I'd like. If you want to excel in an academic topic in a public school, you have to be willing to go your own way, ignore some of the peer pressure and be motivated to succeed for your own reasons and desires.
Point 3: We are always glad to hear from Mistress and Bodhi. I wouldn't call them inexplicable anomalies, but rather, women with highly particular and refined taste -- coupled with a sense of adventure
