Architectural USA

lagrangemultipliers (December 23rd, 2008 @ 9:13 am)

I just finished calculus 3. We weren't allowed to use calculators whatsoever. I really grateful because I understand the material intuitively. If your a math teacher dont use calculators.

ttowntom (December 15th, 2008 @ 5:19 pm)

Again, you're hearing things he's not saying. The fact that 1995 Student B cannot do a problem that 1985 Student A could means the problem has worsened. It does *not* mean that problems "began" in the 1990s. As for attendance at a community college, I imagine most people there have at least some problems with mathematical ability, else they'd be attending a full University. Harsh, perhaps, but true.

billandandy (December 15th, 2008 @ 5:01 pm)

So, in 1991, how many of those people had been affected by a set of *recommendations* with no binding power? Certainly not the 40 and 50 year olds. Not the ones my age. (And, from your profile, approximately yours as well, Tom.) The 18 year olds? Do you really think the *recommendations* were quickly implemented, all across the USA, and had a dramatic impact within 2 years.

billandandy (December 15th, 2008 @ 5:00 pm)

And again clearly at 9:19: "The decline in math performance in Washington followed the introduction of reform math. A coincedence?...I think not." As I said in response to another video, I taught at a community college from 1991-1996. Some students were 18. Some were my age (early to mid 20's). Some were in their 40s and 50s? (Why? Remember our last big recession? A lot of people were laid off in my area.)

billandandy (December 15th, 2008 @ 4:38 pm)

Your post demonstrates quite handily that making nasty faceless insults over the internet is easy. Yes, there ARE people that claim the problem that began in the 90's. At 1:21, "... doing problems that students in the 1980s had little difficulty doing ... ."

ttowntom (December 15th, 2008 @ 4:35 pm)

Your post demonstrates quite handily that reading comprehension is as much of a problem as math skills. No one is denying that problems with math competency predate the past 10 years. The issue is they've grown substantially over that period. Dr. Mass has charts demonstrating the decline, evidence that corresponds with my own anecdotal evidence (teaching Physics at the University level).

billandandy (December 15th, 2008 @ 4:33 pm)

It's great that in the USA, we have the *opportunity* to receive higher education. That does not mean everyone's ready for it. I could say more, but I've already posted it in response to similar videos. I'll just leave it at this: he dumbed down Atmospheric Sciences? Then ***he's just as much too blame***. MAINTAIN STANDARDS. Be prepared to work harder to raise students to those standards, but maintain them.

billandandy (December 15th, 2008 @ 4:28 pm)

I paid very close attention and I have paid attention to trends for the past ***17*** years I have been teaching mathematics. I also know about the trends that were occurring before that. I see you have no response to the statement that the problems existed before 10 years ago. That these problems were widespread. That universities did not see as many of these problems because admittance was tougher, but has progressively eased since the 1960s.)

ttowntom (December 15th, 2008 @ 4:24 pm)

Pay attention. He's saying the problem has gotten much WORSE in the past 10 years. And it has.

SpicyHam (December 1st, 2008 @ 5:05 pm)

it is a world problem, i've been to China and Iran

billandandy (November 14th, 2008 @ 1:54 pm)

This guy thinks that problems with adding two fractions, or using algebra, began 10 years ago?!? He hasn't been paying attention! It's been going on for decades longer. Hmmm, could part of it be that universities allow more students in than they used to? What a concept.

marneth2008 (October 23rd, 2008 @ 6:08 am)

I love math very much!!!