When I was learning to solve quadratics, there were two things that made my life a little easier. One was that the text quiz authors liked integer answers. The other was that I could glance at a number less than 50 or so and know what the factors were without much effort (having put in the hours in 5th grade to totally memorize all that stuff).
I’ve seen the drive-thru line at Starbucks at 8 AM … streamlining your life? I don’t think so. You could make two whole pots of coffee in the time it takes you to reach the pick-up window.
When I was a substitute teacher (2007-12) the thing that distressed me the most was that they now hand out calculators before math class; they never have a chance to learn math. What’s next, not teaching them how to write?? (Oh, wait………)
My old $15 drip grind coffee maker is still heating up that water. It maybe blasphemy, but drip grind coffee in the filter cup one day, tea leaves the next, and just a shot of lemon juice in the water tank for a virgin toddy the third provides a variety of hot drinks to start the day. It does require careful and though rinsing of the coffee maker but that only adds a few moments as to my routine. And by my rough calculation coffee day costs about eight cents a cup using regular breakfast blend Maxwell House (Not counting amortization of the coffee maker).
“Working an integral or performing a linear regression is something a computer can do quite effectively. Understanding whether the result makes sense — or deciding whether the method is the right one to use in the first place — requires a guiding human hand. When we teach mathematics we are supposed to be explaining how to be that guide. A math course that fails to do so is essentially training the student to be a very slow, buggy version of Microsoft Excel.” —Jordan Ellenberg, professor of mathematics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, How Not To Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking (2014)
Erse IS better over 1 year ago
When I was learning to solve quadratics, there were two things that made my life a little easier. One was that the text quiz authors liked integer answers. The other was that I could glance at a number less than 50 or so and know what the factors were without much effort (having put in the hours in 5th grade to totally memorize all that stuff).
Bilan over 1 year ago
The difference between a drive-thru and a calculator is that everyone already knows how to use a coffee maker. Not so with multiplications.
Doug K over 1 year ago
It was also her prerogative to decide that his reasoning to be able to use a calculator on the multiplication quiz didn’t quite add up.
sandpiper over 1 year ago
She determined he did not need the calculator to streamline his life.
ralphb over 1 year ago
I’ve seen the drive-thru line at Starbucks at 8 AM … streamlining your life? I don’t think so. You could make two whole pots of coffee in the time it takes you to reach the pick-up window.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 1 year ago
Old SF short story where someone could do math with out the calculator. He became a military top secret.
Botulism Bob over 1 year ago
Sorry Caulfield, but your excuse just doesn’t add up.
franish2bzn over 1 year ago
What oh what is going to happen when all the people who know the underlying ‘rules’ to things
rshive over 1 year ago
Arbitrary rules win the day again.
Cozmik Cowboy over 1 year ago
When I was a substitute teacher (2007-12) the thing that distressed me the most was that they now hand out calculators before math class; they never have a chance to learn math. What’s next, not teaching them how to write?? (Oh, wait………)
Caldonia over 1 year ago
Now it turns out he needs a calculator. So he’s not interrupting class because he’s a genius, he’s just a brat.
one more ole man over 1 year ago
My old $15 drip grind coffee maker is still heating up that water. It maybe blasphemy, but drip grind coffee in the filter cup one day, tea leaves the next, and just a shot of lemon juice in the water tank for a virgin toddy the third provides a variety of hot drinks to start the day. It does require careful and though rinsing of the coffee maker but that only adds a few moments as to my routine. And by my rough calculation coffee day costs about eight cents a cup using regular breakfast blend Maxwell House (Not counting amortization of the coffee maker).
rugeirn over 1 year ago
Did you bring enough calculators for everybody?
Lambutts over 1 year ago
Which is why we use calculators!
eced52 over 1 year ago
Would have thought Caulfield wouldn’t need a calculator. Or is it just his mouth that’s smart?
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 1 year ago
“Working an integral or performing a linear regression is something a computer can do quite effectively. Understanding whether the result makes sense — or deciding whether the method is the right one to use in the first place — requires a guiding human hand. When we teach mathematics we are supposed to be explaining how to be that guide. A math course that fails to do so is essentially training the student to be a very slow, buggy version of Microsoft Excel.” —Jordan Ellenberg, professor of mathematics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, How Not To Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking (2014)