THE MATH(S) FIX

Wolfram, a technologist whose family members run several businesses that incorporate advanced math and computation, presents an authoritative call to completely revamp the structure of math education (or “maths,” in his British dialect). The book makes a case for improving students’ mastery and actionable knowledge by teaching computational thinking and trading tedious long-division drills for appropriate use of computers. Wolfram lays out the reasons why the current math curriculum makes learning more difficult, explains how outcomes would improve under his proposed changes, and addresses common objections to a curriculum overhaul. He concludes by laying out a plan for getting stakeholders on board, effecting necessary changes, and changing the public’s attitude about what it means to be good at math. In a particularly effective analogy, to which Wolfram returns repeatedly, he compares the change in math instruction to the shift away from Latin in the English school system; although Latin is foundational, he notes, it’s almost never used outside the classroom. Wolfram does an effective job of analyzing the problems with contemporary math education, and he makes a strong case for change. His writing is strong and often clever (“Sometimes the maths educationalists can look like elders, policymakers like disciples, and the population like the maths tribe”), and it makes for enjoyable reading on what might ordinarily be a dry subject. Wolfram will likely persuade many readers that, in 2020, using computers for calculation gives students room to focus on broader questions. Teachers and students are sure to find this book useful, as will those who make education policy.

Thanks for reading.
Please Share, Comment, Like the post And Follow, Subscribe CTS Store.

fromSource