Re: Don't Call It "Algebra"; Call It Something Warm And Fuzzy

In article <l7ak74pmuogf13ieglu6v1gksmvb92lrgc@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
Bob LeChevalier  <lojbab@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>hrubin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Herman Rubin) wrote:

			..............

>>Look at the above.  It is a matter of normalization of the
>>equation of a line and nothing more.  The rule of equality
>>covers this quite well.

>>>Further complicating the decision is a certaintity that just becaue he
could 
>>>do the problem correctly ont he board yesterday does not mean he could
do it 
>>>today.

One of my former colleagues told me of a student in a
graduate course complaining about a B.  On one problem,
the student started correctly, but did not finish.
The colleague then told him of this and asked how he
would proceed.  The student then answered that the
course was over two weeks before, and he had forgotten
that.  This happens frequently when there is too much
memorization.

>>STOP concentrating on memorization and routine.  Minimize them.

>Memorization and routine lead to automatization, which is required on
>a timed test.

And even if the automation is retained, it cannot be
used for anything other than that explicit type of
problem.  Understanding may not give quick answers,
but it enables students to put things together when
the case has not been covered.

If we want clerks or assembly line workers, training
may be appropriate.  If we want any better, start
educating early; training will even come more quickly.
-- 
This address is for information only.  I do not claim that these views
are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
Herman Rubin, Department of Statistics, Purdue University
hrubin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
         Phone: (765)494-6054   FAX: (765)494-0558