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The problem is math is entirely abstract. So you must learn the abstraction before applying it. Otherwise, you learn how to add 2 + 3, but you don't learn how t
by jshowa1 8y ago
The problem is math is entirely abstract. So you must learn the abstraction before applying it. Otherwise, you learn how to add 2 + 3, but you don't learn how to add n + m.
- acjohnson55 8y agoThat strikes me as a strange way of looking at it. Most math taught to people who aren't pure mathematicians is taught precisely because of application to concrete situations. We value pure math largely because of the potential for future concrete applications. In case you aren't aware (and I wasn't until I trained to be a teacher, so this isn't meant to be condescending), there are alternative methods of teaching besides abstraction-first. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquiry-based_learning https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquiry-based_learning
- jshowa1 8y agoI'm aware. Examples are given to demonstrate abstract concepts. However, that doesn't preclude you from needing to learn the abstract concepts eventually. Otherwise, you go back to knowing times tables for 2's and 3's, but not n's and m's.