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> rote learning of multiplication tables I'm curious - doesn't rote learning of multiplication tables make it easier to do a bunch of K-12 (in the UK, Foundati

> rote learning of multiplication tables I'm curious - doesn't rote learning of multiplication tables make it easier to do a bunch of K-12 (in the UK, Foundation through Sixth Form - I think) math? Also, yes, coins are less important now, but I always thought those problems teach little children how to solve a particular type of knapsack problem, which has learning benefits beyond knowing how to wrangle coins. I'm all for making math more approachable, but not at the cost of producing people who're utterly out of sorts without a calculator. What am I missing?

bambataa 6y ago
There seems to be an idea, which I find deeply odd, that kids don’t need to be taught something once an alternative appears: arithmetic —> calculators coins -> contactless cursive -> typing I just find it bizarre how quickly people are willing to throw things out, leaving children utterly reliant on the new tech.
- cannam 6y ago
  You've just reminded me how wonderful the principle of the slide rule appeared, when I eventually encountered one after a childhood using calculators.
- zelos 6y ago
  I wasn't suggesting that it should be thrown out, but mabe a shift in emphasis is needed. Multiple hours on times tables 2-12 is a lot of time out of the school week. Maybe my own memories of frustration at school, plus having to calm down a deeply upset, bored, son after school so many times affect my perception of the system.
  - bambataa 6y ago
    Sure, but multiplication tables are fundamental and are useful lifelong. Coins are still a very common feature of life and also useful for teaching addition, also very useful for life. I appreciate we have to move with the times (I’m not pushing for reintroducing log tables) but it seems useful that kids come out with a solid grasp of fundamental reality around them —- reading an analogue clock, knowing the shape of the world in broad outline, being able to count change. To use a programming analogy, it is better to teach someone JS and how to do DOM manipulation, so that they see it’s a pain, and then show them React and how it’s useful, than just jumping straight into the current state of the art.

bambataa 6y ago

There seems to be an idea, which I find deeply odd, that kids don’t need to be taught something once an alternative appears: arithmetic —> calculators coins -> contactless cursive -> typing I just find it bizarre how quickly people are willing to throw things out, leaving children utterly reliant on the new tech.

cannam 6y ago
You've just reminded me how wonderful the principle of the slide rule appeared, when I eventually encountered one after a childhood using calculators.
zelos 6y ago
I wasn't suggesting that it should be thrown out, but mabe a shift in emphasis is needed. Multiple hours on times tables 2-12 is a lot of time out of the school week. Maybe my own memories of frustration at school, plus having to calm down a deeply upset, bored, son after school so many times affect my perception of the system.
- bambataa 6y ago
  Sure, but multiplication tables are fundamental and are useful lifelong. Coins are still a very common feature of life and also useful for teaching addition, also very useful for life. I appreciate we have to move with the times (I’m not pushing for reintroducing log tables) but it seems useful that kids come out with a solid grasp of fundamental reality around them —- reading an analogue clock, knowing the shape of the world in broad outline, being able to count change. To use a programming analogy, it is better to teach someone JS and how to do DOM manipulation, so that they see it’s a pain, and then show them React and how it’s useful, than just jumping straight into the current state of the art.