I remember when I was in grade school, textbooks weighed about twenty pounds and were chock-full of basic, mechanical exercises. There were around 200 problems at the end of each chapter, and the first 150 of them were questions like 365 ´ 791. We often worked individually on these in class, in silence. Despite how … Continue reading The Modern Role of Textbooks
Articles
Ideal Math Education Technology in the Digital Age
We have entered an era in which the use of technology in math education is increasing exponentially. However, only a fraction of these new developments are beneficial. For example, I’ve seen apps that simplify fractions, solve equations, and graph functions. These apps do the math instead of teach how. I consider these to not only … Continue reading Ideal Math Education Technology in the Digital Age
Finland, the Quadratic Formula, and Thinking Outside the Box
May 28, 2012 Not many people know that the telecommunications giant Nokia Corporation originated in the small town of Nokia, Finland. Another noteworthy datum about Finland is that Finland scored significantly above the OECD average on the PISA test in all subjects -- reading, mathematics, and science. How did Finland’s students score so well? The Finnish … Continue reading Finland, the Quadratic Formula, and Thinking Outside the Box
US Culture
May 17, 2012 I had a very interesting chat with two math professors at Ateneo University, one of the Philippines’ most prestigious institutions. I had requested a conversation so that I could ask how they inspire and engage their students in mathematics. It quickly evolved into a lively and insightful discussion detailing how culture plays … Continue reading US Culture
Moving Forward, We Need a Consensus
Two questions have been forming in my mind for quite some time. No matter how many people I talk to, or how many conferences I attend, or how many math education organizations I research, these questions remain unanswered. In fact, they become even more confusing. What will really get more students involved in STEM and … Continue reading Moving Forward, We Need a Consensus
Robotics, STEM, and Ethics
March 24, 2012 I just finished Wired For War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century by P.W. Singer. The book mostly focused on the evolution of robotic technology, particularly as it is used in warfare. But we can't talk about technology without talking about STEM education. Take a look at this excerpt: … Continue reading Robotics, STEM, and Ethics