Teaching Math Across The Decades
As a former math teacher, I find stories about the educational field to be of interest, and especially if they deal with the teaching of mathematics. This tongue in cheek history of math education in the United States certainly made me chuckle. And even better, it's about logging, so it's quite appropriate for my good old state of maineHow has math education changed in the last five decades? Well, let me tell you...
Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
Teaching Math In 1990
By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down the trees? (There are no wrong answers)
Sadly, though this is very tongue in cheek, it has some truth to it; if it didn't, we wouldn't find it funny. But the fact that we chuckle and laugh means we "get it", and we "get it" because there's a kernel of truth to it.
Posted On Apr 22, 2005 at 3:24 AM
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