School mathematics is stuck in the 19th century? Bashny.Net

Have you ever noticed what a good tutorial differs from the bad? Why do you wade through the jungle of a school textbook on physics, and then all grasp on the fly from the classic three-volume Lansberg? The reason is that the radically different methods of presentation, practical examples, problems. The same applies to mathematics.

With the proliferation of computers have the opportunity to make interactive programs that are much clearer show children learning material than the classical equations. Some experts believe that the current methods of teaching mathematics застряли in the 19th century .

One of these innovators is Kate Devlin (Keith Devlin), Director of the Research Institute of Technology and Humanities at Stanford University and founder of the company-developer of educational games BrainQuake . He believes that modern mathematics courses not only stuck in the 19th century, but more poorly prepared students for modern professions. Keith Devlin says that the training you need to move from "application procedures" to creative "problem solving" using the computer.

Forbes magazine published a несколько Theses interview with Devlin.

"For most people, mathematics is the application of standard techniques for solving clearly stated problems that have only one correct answer. They have good reason to think so. Until the late 19th century it was so - says Devlin. - But with the rise of modern science and technology, mathematicians need to change methods. Cheap pervasive computers can solve all the procedural math quickly and accurately any person. So anyone who wants to get - or keep - a good job, can not ignore the transition from the old "use of known procedures" to an emphasis on creative problem solving.

Devlin compares modern mathematics textbooks with a recipe book. So taught mathematics for thousands of years. But now suddenly in the pocket of each student has a device that solves all these problems better person. Do not need to do complex calculations. What is needed now - it's to provide pupils and students a deeper understanding of how the arithmetic. All calculations should overshadow the less important skill.

In today's problems in the real world is not so much to find the "right" answer, how to understand the context and find a sound approach to solving the problem.




Mobile application Wuzzit Trouble : one example of a study arithmetic in the form of a game



The same problem in Wuzzit Trouble and conventional textbooks

Traditional mathematical notation is designed for learning on the paper (that is first in the sand, clay tablets, parchment, and then on the paper and chalk on blackboard). But in all cases it is a static representation of the fundamental dynamical processes. Modern smartphones and tablets allow you to show this evolution, this form of thinking in action. So, to better understand it and quickly learn the same classic recording of characters that suddenly acquires meaning for the student.

Interactive training applications in understanding Devlona, ​​this "user interface" for the development of mathematical language at the primary level.

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/231123/