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> You gotta drill the basic arithmetic in order to learn it Do less arithmetic. We have calculators so arithmetic matters less. > no amount of sugarcoating wi
by graemep 1y ago
> You gotta drill the basic arithmetic in order to learn it
Do less arithmetic. We have calculators so arithmetic matters less.
> no amount of sugarcoating will make kids like it.
Sugarcoating is exactly the wrong approach. Its making the subject itself enjoyable.
https://profkeithdevlin.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lockhartslament.pdf https://profkeithdevlin.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lockh...
> This is the lesson unlearned by proponents of "New Math" and "Common Core" in the USA
Not familiar with those, but I the "its fun" approach has worked for me.
- lazystar 1y ago> Do less arithmetic. We have calculators so arithmetic matters less. would you also posit that, since we have AI auto gen tools, we no longer need to teach spelling/grammar to children?
- graemep 1y agoVery different skills. I would not teach spelling by drill and memorisation either - you pick it up if you read.
- SoftTalker 1y ago> We have calculators so arithmetic matters less. Disagee. Fluency in basic arithmetic is a very useful life skill.
- graemep 1y agoSome things are. Being able to estimate rough answers in your head is far more useful than being able to do an exact answer with pen and paper.
- hobs 1y agoIt matters less, but the lack of numeracy means many people are befuddled by the most basic math related conversations, statistical conversations (polling), fraction or rate based (APR? Taxes???) things - all over the place. Learning the basics and drilling them is a useful skill even if you can make the machine do it for you.
- graemep 1y agoBut most of those people befuddled by these things were drilled in it, but do not know how to apply it. Drill without understanding.
- ThrowawayR2 1y ago"We have calculators so arithmetic matters less" you say? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-pound_burger#Marketing_failure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-pound_burger#Marketing_f... "The results revealed that many participants mistakenly believed that one-third of a pound was smaller than one-fourth (quarter) of a pound. Focus group participants expressed confusion over the price, asking why they should pay the same amount for a "smaller" third-pound burger."
- graemep 1y agoI agree with that, but most of those people probably can do arithmetic and were drilled in it at school, but drill to get the right answers does not teach you how to apply it.
- ryandrake 1y agoI always thought that fast food companies should have used that research to take advantage of the public’s innumeracy and offer a “1/5 pound” burger next to their 1/4 pound burgers, and charge more for it.