Re:Will it rot my students' brains if they use Mathematica?
by jacobolus on Tuesday April 27, 2010 @09:24PM
(#1300405)
> learning to do proofs properly are important only for those who will become academic mathematicians at universities.
Learning how to motivate and explain mathematical relationships and structures is essential for anyone who plans to work with them later (or frankly anyone who plans to be an informed citizen). Without a demonstration of such ability to explain on students’ part, I doubt that any “mathematics” has in fact been learned.
Normal 14-year-olds are plenty capable of understanding the construction of straightforward mathematical arguments.
> demonstration of proof in geometry class is both elegant, precise and appropriate.
You show me a widely used high school geometry book that isn’t completely full of time wasting banality and pointless over-strict over-regimented rules for students to follow, and I’ll be amazed.
Secondly, what's "bullshit" about the proofs of "geometry" courses? And why do you put "geometry" in quotes?
Always requiring proofs in elementary and middle school is inappropriate for many reasons. I'll give a few. There's hardly sufficient time to demonstrate and exercise the mathematics as it is. Secondly, learning to do proofs properly are important only for those who will become academic mathematicians at universities.
The demonstration of proof in geometry class is both elegant, precise and appropriate.