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The Wonder of Maths

  • 14-09-2005 5:09pm
    #1
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    Closed Accounts Posts: 110 ✭✭


    Ok so this is my idea.

    Leaving Cert math's is thought in a totally theoretically method, well from what I remember. The only section I can remember actually dealing with the use of math's in everyday life is volume.

    Why isn't there more effort placed on the practical side of maths.
    I mean I understand that subjects like imaginary numbers are tricky to express in ordinary day life, but I think if the math's course was constructed by someone with a good understanding of the real world, math's would be easier to learn.

    Now there is a second argument to this that I am well aware of. I respect maths as an art and a discipline. Would giving Leaving Cert math's a more Applied Math's/Physics approach take from its culture?


Comments

  • #2
    defiantshrimp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭defiantshrimp


    Having just sat a Leaving Cert in Math, Physics and Applied Math i have to say the Higher Maths course is a pretty good one! It can't be all practical and problem solving (like applied maths) because that would (a) turn it into applied maths and (b) would not help students develop mathematical way of thinking necessary for further study or mathematical vocations. One needs the theory to be able to apply it!

    I think the main problem is that teachers (at least in all my education thus far) don't try get students motivated and fascinated by maths. No teacher has ever told me what use pure maths has or the many, many applications of probability. No teacher ever bothered to try convey the beauty of math. I got my love of math (in part) from reading about mathematicians and their discoveries. A big turning point was when i read "A Beautiful Mind" and realised that mathematics was so powerful.

    If teachers tried more to rouse students interest in maths and explain its importance and use in the world it would help immensely. For example i'd say almost no Leaving Cert students realise the use of Matrices. Why bother learning something that seems like it was created by a Mathematician for kicks? If the uses of each area of the course was explained i think we would see better results and more people taking higher level.


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