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One does not need to put a pen to paper in order to think about how linear functions scale, how they differ from nonlinear functions, etc. These are things you

One does not need to put a pen to paper in order to think about how linear functions scale, how they differ from nonlinear functions, etc. These are things you learn in Algebra class, and which are useful for thinking about (and calculating by hand, when precision is necessary) many aspects of life. One example: at my kids' school, they care mostly about whether a student is at grade level. If a student starts the year already knowing 95% of the standards, they make little to no effort to ensure that the student is learning. When talking to parents about this deficiency, I mentioned that the problem is they're looking at the students' position, not their rate-of-change. Were we "doing calculus"? No. But I wouldn't have thought the issue in these terms if I had never taken algebra (where I learned about slope) and calculus (where I learned about derivatives). I would also point out that I pretty much never do long division or long multiplication by hand. I use a calculator, or Siri. But that doesn't meant that students don't need to learn multiplication tables, and the process for doing multi-digit multiplication and division.

dventimi 3y ago
And yet putting pen to paper to reduce and solve equations, solve sets of simultaneous equations, factor expressions, and find roots is what I did in algebra and what my daughter's doing in algebra. Personally, I don't believe that investment of her time and the public's resources in order that she think about "how linear functions scale" in some vague distant future should automatically be protected from scrutiny. Life is about tradeoffs. I enjoy math. Then again, other people enjoy chess. That doesn't necessarily mean everybody should be taught them, especially when time, attention, and resources are limited.
- gnicholas 3y ago
  If you had asked people who wrote down equations on paper and solved them, you would have gotten fewer hands raised. Instead, people would have asked you why that is the relevant question. You somehow think it doesn't count if someone uses algebraic reasoning to figure something out. It feels like you're moving the goalposts. I'll take my leave; good day!
  - dventimi 3y ago
    > Instead, people would have asked you why that is the relevant question. And I would have answered that question, like already did in this thread. > You somehow think it doesn't count If you want credit for using algebraic reasoning, I'll give it to you. What I won't do is say that forcing most high school kids to do pen-and-paper operations which will be useful if they choose to become scientists but probably won't be useful if they don't become scientists, is a good use of their time or our public resources, because I don't believe that it is. And if we're talking about feelings, it feels like you're seeking validation for your math affinity. This sure seems like an expensive way to go about it.

dventimi 3y ago

And yet putting pen to paper to reduce and solve equations, solve sets of simultaneous equations, factor expressions, and find roots is what I did in algebra and what my daughter's doing in algebra. Personally, I don't believe that investment of her time and the public's resources in order that she think about "how linear functions scale" in some vague distant future should automatically be protected from scrutiny. Life is about tradeoffs. I enjoy math. Then again, other people enjoy chess. That doesn't necessarily mean everybody should be taught them, especially when time, attention, and resources are limited.

gnicholas 3y ago
If you had asked people who wrote down equations on paper and solved them, you would have gotten fewer hands raised. Instead, people would have asked you why that is the relevant question. You somehow think it doesn't count if someone uses algebraic reasoning to figure something out. It feels like you're moving the goalposts. I'll take my leave; good day!
- dventimi 3y ago
  > Instead, people would have asked you why that is the relevant question. And I would have answered that question, like already did in this thread. > You somehow think it doesn't count If you want credit for using algebraic reasoning, I'll give it to you. What I won't do is say that forcing most high school kids to do pen-and-paper operations which will be useful if they choose to become scientists but probably won't be useful if they don't become scientists, is a good use of their time or our public resources, because I don't believe that it is. And if we're talking about feelings, it feels like you're seeking validation for your math affinity. This sure seems like an expensive way to go about it.