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Even if the student can solve optimization or related rates problems just like the ones in the book and in the lecture — but doesn’t know how to start if the op
by riggins 12y ago
Even if the student can solve optimization or related rates problems just like the ones in the book and in the lecture — but doesn’t know how to start if the optimization or related rates problem does not match their template — then the student hasn’t really learned calculus. At that point, those “applied” problems are just more mechanical processes. We may say the student has learned about calculus, but when it comes to the uses of the subject that really matter — applying calculus concepts to ambiguous and/or complex problems, choosing the best of equivalent methods or results, creating models to solve novel problems — this student’s calculus knowledge is not of much use.
If this is the standard, then we can also say
The trouble with Ivy League Universities
- j2kun 12y agoWhy single out Ivy Leagues? Many calculus students leave calculus without understanding it regardless of their institution.
- jessaustin 12y agoThe implication is that most institutions suffer from this disadvantage, and saying "Ivy League" is a shorthand for that proposition, since it is assumed (correctly or not) that Ivy League universities are at least as good as most other educational institutions.
- defective 12y agoThat was the intent of the jab -- you could say it about any place that 'teaches' math.
- defective 12y agoAnd better to say that! This article seems to confirm that Khan Academy is teaching to university standards. The problem is, that almost all institutions teach the mechanics -- or at least, almost all teachers. If this particular professor teaches to the novel application level, wonderful. But a significant percentage of his peers do not.
- FLUX-YOU 12y agoThat was my impression of the critique: that Khan simply isn't a perfect math education. Well, you can definitely do worse. Frankly, Sal Khan is better than all of my previous math teachers combined. (sorry guys and gals, but it's probably Alabama's fault anyway).