The Value of Forgetting

The Value of Forgetting

Mathematics is usually taught brick on brick – each brick resting solidly on the ones underneath. This sounds good. Brick on brick mathematics education is capable of building an impressive edifice. Look at the power of the average calculus student after a...
Be unhelpful! Be wrong! Be unprepared!

Be unhelpful! Be wrong! Be unprepared!

I am most impressed with the advice of the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival to the volunteers who come to people its tables: Be as unhelpful as possible. Joshua Zucker Director, Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival This is marvellous advice for educators and parents...
Erasers – Good or Bad?

Erasers – Good or Bad?

Why do we allow students to work in pencil? Sometimes we do it because we want them to erase their mistakes. If done to excess, this is wrong. Mistakes are there to learn from – not to be erased or scribbled out. They should be artfully identified so...
Protect the Slow!

Protect the Slow!

Speed is essential, but some curricula value it too much. The core of every mathematics classroom should be problem solving. Ponderous problem solvers need to be protected. I am not making the case against memorizing basic facts. Students absolutely need to memorize...
Computer Games in the Classroom

Computer Games in the Classroom

I’m agnostic when it comes to computer games. On the negative side: 1) Too many students already have too much screen time at home – the last thing this subset of students need is to have screen time in school. 2) Quality control is lacking. On the...