Re:Big Picture of Calculus (2010) [video]
by brightball on Monday February 13, 2017 @02:41PM
(#13638064)
That's kind've where I was going with it. Basic understanding of the building blocks of society type stuff: power, water, gas, construction, radio, biology, growing food, vehicles, finances, etc.
Thinking back, I just realized the main reason that I was bored to tears in high school wasn't so much that the subjects weren't worth knowing...just that at the time I was being taught formulas without any clear understanding of why it was useful to know it. If you don't know why it's useful to know it, there's very little reason to remember it beyond passing a test.
You might enjoy this. I actually think this is well done.
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/index.html
Obviously, it could use more work, but the kernel of something really good is there.
For example... what are sunspots? How does the plumbing around your house work? How does a car battery work? How does a microwave oven work?
Another thought. If we are unable to find applications for a technique, should we place such an emphasis on teaching it? I look around and see all the very practical (and interesting!) math and science that is not being taught, e.g. signal processing, just because they are nontraditional. It's a shame to me.